| Bextra® | |
| Brand Name: | Bextra® |
| Active Ingredient: | valdecoxib |
| Strength(s): | 10 mg and 20 mg |
| Dosage Form(s): | Tablets |
| Company Name: | G.D. Searle & Co. |
| Availability: | Prescription only |
| *Date Approved by FDA: | November 16, 2001 |
| *Approval by the FDA does not mean that the drug is available for consumers at this time. | |
What is Bextra used for?
Bextra is used to relieve:
- symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in adults
- painful menstrual cycles
Who should not take Bextra?
You should not take Bextra if you:
- had asthma, hives or allergic reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or COX-2 inhibitors. Some examples of NSAIDs are ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), nabumetone (Relafen), ketoprofen (Orudis), celecoxib (Celebrex), and rofecoxib (Vioxx). You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for a complete list of these medications
- are allergic to valdecoxib (Bextra) or to any of the ingredients in Bextra
Special Warnings with Bextra:
Bextra and all NSAID medications can cause stomach ulcers that bleed. The chance of this serious problem increases the longer you take Bextra, but it can also happen suddenly. Stop taking Bextra and call your doctor right away if you get:
- a burning stomach pain
- black bowel movements that look like tar
- vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds
General Precautions with Bextra:
Bextra and other NSAID medications can cause serious problems such as liver damage. Some of the warning signs of liver damage are nausea, vomiting, tiredness, loss of appetite, itching, yellow coloring of skin or eyes, “flu-like” symptoms and dark urine. If this happens, stop taking Bextra and call your doctor right away.
- Bextra can cause fluid retention (holding of water in your body). Fluid retention can be a serious problem if you have high blood pressure or heart failure.
Do not use Bextra if you have asthma and are allergic to aspirin. If an aspirin-sensitive asthmatic takes aspirin it can cause severe narrowing of the airway (bronchospasm), and even death. The same reactions to aspirin and other NSAID medicines happened in aspirin-sensitive patients.
What should I tell my health care provider?
Tell your health care provider if you:
- have heart problems or high blood pressure
- have liver or kidney problems
- have or had stomach ulcers or stomach bleeding
- have asthma
- are allergic to aspirin or other NSAID medicines
- are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- are breast-feeding
Tell your health care provider about all the medicines that you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Your health care provider may have to adjust your dose or watch you more closely if you take the following medications:
- certain blood pressure medicines called ACE inhibitors
- furosemide (Lasix)
- fluconazole or ketoconazole
- lithium
- warfarin (coumadin)
- aspirin
What are some possible side effects of Bextra? (This is NOT a complete list of side effects reported with Bextra. Your health care provider can discuss with you a more complete list of side effects.)
Side effects can include:
- Indigestion
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Diarrhea
- Headache
Rarely serious ulcers and stomach bleeding have occurred in patients taking Bextra.
For more detailed information about Bextra, ask your health care provider or pharmacist.
User Comments and Reviews:
Han Bextra worked for me May 12th, 2008 Rating: 9.8333 I had frozen shoulder that put me in great misery because of the constant pain and stiffness that close to disabled my entire left arm. I had use Bextra initially 10mg with little relief. So I stopped using it. Almost a year later, and still in pain, I decided to give it another try. This time I took the 20mg dosage. It was miraculous. Almost immediately the next day I felt enormous relief. I stayed on the 20 mg for about 2 months, dropped to 10 mg for about another month, and now I no longer need it. I have regained mobility and I can hardly believe it. There is no doubt to me now that I had a severe inflammatory condition, and that Bextra is definitely effective for frozen shoulder and tendinitis. Had I known the importance of a higher dosage, I would have been spared much misery for such a long time. I had no real side effects, perhaps other than som dryness in the mouth that I would gladly put up with in return for the usage of my arm. Anonymous No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: 8.4000 I took 10 mg of Bextra for14 days, helped with the pain in my knee, but did not get rid of it. These were samples from the Doctor.
Quit using Bextra and the pain returned with a vengeance.
Went to my orthopedic dr and he also put me on Bextra, but 20 mgs, have been on it for 4 days now, and I can again walk, my knee is still hurting some, but Bextra has relieved a lot of the pain. No side effects so far!Anonymous No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: 8.0000 I've been on Bextra for about three months for a degenerative disc condition and osteoarthritis. I have experienced stomach burning and what seems to be a very light rash on my forearms. The rash does not itch and the stomach problem subsides if I reduce my dosage for a day or two. I was very worried about taking this medicine after reading about it on the Internet and even threw out the first batch of samples the doctor gave me. However, my back pain was so bad that I felt I had to try it as the only other alternatives was temporary relief from spinal injections. At this point I'm really glad I gave it another try. I would be interested in long-term effects also. This is a new drug, only released in 2001, so I doubt there is much that is known. I feel that we are the guinea pigs but it has been worth the risk to be without the severe pain. Anonymous Long-Term Use May 12th, 2008 Rating: 7.5000 I am a lupus patient and I was put on Bextra for arthritis symptoms that didn't get better with Vioxx or any other medication. At first I was singing the praises of this miraculous medicine...my hands and feet, which had a lot of joint pain, were suddenly painfree and I felt normal again! Then, a few days ago (after being on the bextra for three weeks) I began feeling itchiness. At first a little on a leg, then later on both legs, and then everywhere. Now came flu-like symptoms - congestion, sneezing, dizziness, headache. Finally, I couldn't sleep all night long - my legs felt restless and I had chills (no fever) in my whole body. This morning there was blood in my stool and the chills continued throughout the day...have stopped taking Bextra!
Donna Bextra May 12th, 2008 Rating: 7.0000 I have been taking Bextra 20mg once a day now for a month for Sarcoidosis. I have numerous joint pain and inflamation, I think I had some side effects earlier, felt like my limbs were noodles,and very very tired. They have since cleared up and I am almost back to my same old self, no more joint pain and inflamation. I am also interested in the long term effects. Becky Bextra ...... May 12th, 2008 Rating: 7.0000 I have been on Bextra for over a year now. I have 4 ruptured discs in my lower back and degenerative discs diesease. Bextra did fine and was working well for me for the most part... I actually think it was helping me.. But..... something I don't think a lot of people are aware of are the new FDA warnings (they were'nt on my bottles.. scary stuff)... I wasn't. I am not even real sure if my Doc was.. and I am the one suffering... Well if you are allergic to antibiotics you should stay away from Bextra... You can get really bad skin reactions. Some cases are even life threating. If you want to know more about it .. just go to a search and type in Bextra alllll kinds of stuff will pop up. Thats how I linked my rashes to Bextra. I have really sensitive skin anyway ... so I just thought it was a new soap or something but it wasn't it was Bextra.. I have an appt with my fam Dr. Monday... Because all my pain specialist said was "quit taking it" he did'nt want to see me... and my rash is pretty bad.. so I made an appt with my Fam Dr to get it checked out b/c who knows it might be one of the other meds I am on... OH I hope not!!! :( I hate being on Meds!!!
Anonymous No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: 6.3636 This drug caused: severe rash, blurred vision, anal and genital and oral lesions and itching. Stevens Johnson Syndrome. Neither physician or pharmacist advised me of possible side effects, and to date, August 19, 2003, neither has been made aware of possible side effects by Pfizer/Pharmacia. Am aware of another patient in my city who was hopitalized for three months and almost died as a result of taking Bextra. the company is doing a lousy job of notifying providers and patients of potentially deadly side effects of taking this drug. Anonymous No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: 6.0000 What a blessing to find this site!! Have been taking Bextra for 13 days. Noticed redness under arms and on thighs and pelvic area. Very red with skin cracking in fold at thigh-pelvic area. Stopped medication. Called MD; he advised stop med and indicated that it was probably adverse sulfa reaction. I have never been allergic or reactive to sulfa or antibiotics. Searched the 'net' to find info on Bextra....very alarming. The pharmacist nor the MD explained any of these possible reactions. Also, experienced nausea, heart palpatations and extreme fatigue on one occasion; thought it was an intense 'hot flash'. Now, I believe Bextra is the cause. Since I have only recently shown signs of rash can anyone tell us how long it takes to subside? After stopping the med does that eliminate any further concern for developing serious skin disorders? Already have psoriasis with arthritis....don't need another skin disorder. Any help would be appreciated - thanks. Anonymous No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: 5.7143 I just started (8-24-03, have taken 2 tablets) with Bextra. No warnings were given by the pharmacy. I learned about possible problems from the enclosed documentation. Terri Bextra May 12th, 2008 Rating: 5.5000 I have been taking Bextra 20mg. for about two weeks now, and within the last few days, have extreme weakness in legs and arms. If feels like climbing a mountain when going upstairs. Prior to that it seemed as if it was helping. I am planning on stopping the med and see if the muscle weakness clears up. I was prescribed this med for arthritis in my neck. Mark Rumple Findings. May 12th, 2008 Rating: 5.5000 I was in a severe motorcycle accident which involved broken bones of arm and leg. also back injury (but no broken bones---x-ray showed degenerative disc...at par with my 50 yrs. of age)...
3 weeks after accident Md. prescribed this for pain...over the Lor-Tabs.
..of course pain was not relieved...swolleness of arm seemed to increase... moved to regime with codeine for a week for pain..of course it subsided...I on my own continued back Bextra...now I feel relief...and swollenness subsided..
Yesterday...I decided to take Benadryl..yes. O.T.C. benadryl...R.O.M.
Range of Motion of Elbow greatly increased..also pain greatly decreased.
..Will try Bextra tonight...again...hope it catches on like the .25 cent a dose Benadryl does..
Mark Rumple
1508 N. Battin
Wichita, Kansas
P.S. former Pharmacy Student.Fatso bextra May 12th, 2008 Rating: 5.5000 I am an active, once trim, weight conscious 30 something female w/ 2 torn ligaments in left ankle with lots of fluid in ankle area according to MRI. I have not had severe pain, just discomfort and swelling. I have not changed diet at all, still do some light isolated lifting even biked and hiked, and I have gained 8 pounds in 3 days since I took 20 mg of Bextra!!! How the H--L is this possible?? Water retention from pills?? or are there steroids in Bextra that have caused me to gain? It has now been 4 days since I have taken pills and the weight is still there. I stopped taking pills on the 3rd day and did not resume for fear of packing on more weight. This sudden weight gain has caused me to be seriously depressed. Please advise if anyone knows if Bextra causes weight gain. Anonymous Bextra May 12th, 2008 Rating: 5.4444 Bextra was prescribed by my doctor for bursitis. Took it for 2 weeks and noticed a small rash beginning on my legs after the lst. week. When I went back to the doctor, he gave me another 2 weeks of Bextra. In just a couple days, the rash on my legs started getting worse. My pharmicist and the doctor told me this was NOT a side effect of the medicine. During the 3rd. week the left side of my neck was covered with the same rash. I stopped the Bextra 5 days ago and just starting today the rash has become slightly bearable. I've spent the last few days with the most intense itching I've ever had in my life. Also felt as though my throat and tongue were swelling at times. Also during the last week, my feet and ankles were swollen from fluid - after getting off the Bextra and taking fluid pills, my weight has dropped over 6-8 lbs. in 2 days. Will not be taking Bextra again!!! Toby H Not effective May 12th, 2008 Rating: 5.0000 I was prescibed this drug for pain and inflamation due to intense back spasms. This drug has done nothing for 3 days. I've been taking other - proven and effective - pain relievers and had immediate and noticable relief. A Co-workeer of mine was refered to the same doctor and he prescibed bextra for pain from her botched knee surgery. Totally in-effective for her too. C No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: 5.0000 Started taking 10 days ago along with Skelaxin for chronic pain from bursitis. It has helped a lot. No side effects to date. Mary Bextra May 12th, 2008 Rating: 5.0000 The Pain management, and also my main Doctor has perscribed me Bextra and still up to this date. I am not sure if Bextra is the cause of my swelling from my abdomen to my feet, also I have been breaking out in skin rashes on my legs, face, arms, back and stomach. Other symptoms are dry mouth dizzy, very weak,fatigued,my visioned has worsened. More importantly Bextra does not even come close with reduceing any burning, pain, and inflammation. I feel the FDA should take this off of the market, after seeing all these coments about this medication. Bextra, is a waste of time, health and money. dave bextra May 12th, 2008 Rating: 5.0000 I took bextra for two days, I was awoken in the middle of the night from not being able to breathe. I all ready feel short of breath and extremely tired limbs. As someone else says on this page, damn bextra. bernard rotator cuff May 12th, 2008 Rating: 5.0000 my doctor prescribed bextra and have been taking it for 7 days and it has given relief to my rotator cuff injury (due to badminton). did not completely remove the pain but has enabled me to play and smash like i used to. jaime No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: 5.0000 I love Bextra. It really works for me. I have not experienced any side effects. I would like to know more about long term use and side effects. Anonymous coumadin and Bextra May 12th, 2008 Rating: 5.0000 I had taken 10mg two doses of Bextra and my INR blood level went from 3.5
to 9.2. I called my Rx and they warned me of the interactions between the
two. My Dr. feels that itis not the fault of the Bextra and resumed my script st 20mg for the nex two weeks at one per day in AM with food.
Please advise. Thank y9ou...Janet BEXTRA May 12th, 2008 Rating: 5.0000 I am experiencing terrible shorness of breath since I took a bextra, 20mg. I only take maybe one or two a day. I do have periodic asthma. Anyone else have this> thanks Charles Bextra for Fibromyalgia May 12th, 2008 Rating: 5.0000 I have taken Bextra for two years, one a day for fibromyalgia and have had no problems. Betsy bextra May 12th, 2008 Rating: 5.0000 I have been on Bextra off and on for the last year for herniated disc
and had no idea why I,ve been feeling so awful until I read this web site!
I,ve had the tiredness, weakness and many of the symptoms including the horrible headaches. Why don't Doctors let you know about the side effects?
The burning when I urinate has been awful! No more Bextra!!!!!!!!!!!Lynne Mays Side Effects-Optional May 12th, 2008 Rating: 4.3333 I believe Bextra has caused small lesions on my body especially the neck and face area. I believe it also caused me to have a sick "empty" feeling to my stomach even when taken after food intake. Terry Bextra May 12th, 2008 Rating: 4.0000 I have been taking Bextra 20mg. for 5-days now my mouth has oral liasions and starting to go down my throat. Also my appetite has not been very good either.My doctor did shoulder surgery on me which is still quite painful at times, but he won't believe me. He just gave me samples of Bextra and told me to take once a day. Now that I've seen other comments about it I am going to call my doctor and stop taking Bextra. Thank You Malcolm Dale Free Samples of Bextra May 12th, 2008 Rating: 3.3333 My wife won't let me take Bextra after reading these messages posted here. What is this medication?!*&@%%!
What is so wonderful about it? What can it do that Tylenol or Advil or Naproxen Sodium can't do?
.... This is crazy.
I think this time I will have to give in and FOR ONCE agree with my wife!
Ha!Scared No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: 3.0000 I know this sounds stupid but could anyone that has had the oral, genital, and anal lesions maybe describe what they looked like. I am scared to death... I have been on bextra for almost a year and durring that time I have experienced rashes just regular red bumps ... but recently I have gotten sores on my genital area and I think it might be from the meds. And I just went to the doc. for my annual check up and she didn't say anything. But I notice that they are there and it worries me b/c my partner doesn't have anything noticable. But I know that doesn't always mean anything. I am kind of young so I am embarrassed to talk about it with other people in person. Please Help.
Thanks for the help!Anonymous bextra May 12th, 2008 Rating: 2.5000 heres the symptoms I had, and I did not even put two and two together....was on bextra for about three months and it did help with low back disc degeneration..then i ran out for a couple weeks, got some samples from my doctor..started taking it again, and first had like odd anal and genital itching, sort of like my urine felt like it was burning me...the next week; i got hives, and itching so bad..i could hardly stand it, my ears felt like fire and now they are peeling!!!!Damn bextra!!! Sue No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: 1.5294 I started taking Bextra about 3 weeks ago for Rotator cuff. I felt like I had a stomach virus last Sunday nite and woke up feeling achy. Before the day was out I hurt all over, my skin is very sensitive and starting to itch. As the week wore on , my stomach got better but I had this pain in my legs from the waist down to my toes and my feet felt swollen. I did some online research Thursday nite and realized I was having a reaction to the meds. The Dr. had me take Benedryl as soon as I called them and wanted to hear back from me before I left work on Fri. I wasn't any better by that afternoon so they started me on Medrol pk. I've been on it since Friday nite and while the symptom may have lessened, my legs still hurt, feel weak and itch, dry mouth and just basically feel real bad........wonder how long it's gonna take?
Anonymous Testicle Pain May 12th, 2008 Rating: 1.0000 My MD's secretary though i should take Bextra for pain in my left testicle. I figured what does she know, shes not a doctor but.....I love Bextra. It makes me feel so good. I usually crush it up and snort it. NO SIDE EFFECTS!!! julia e. bextra May 12th, 2008 Rating: 0.2500 I have only been taking this medicine for 5 days. Yesterday I started to feel itch all over. I thought that it was because my skin was just dry. I put alot of lotion on and drank plenty of fluids. I should say that I wanted plenty of fluids. If I have itching all over the place it is not that bad but I may just call the doctor or stop it on my own and go back to Celebrex. That helped alittle. This does seem to help more than Celebrex but I certainly don't know if this itching is going to continue and do not want to wind up like some of the people I read about on this website. Oh my nose itches and burns also. Really weird has to be the medicine. Most likely I will stop it tomorrow. P.S. no on described to be any complications about this stuff just that it was good. HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMmm LK No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: 0.0000 I have been taking one 20mg Bextra tab twice a day for six days for Fibromyalgia. In the past three days I have had horrible headaches and swelling in my lower legs and feet; I can not even get my shoes on! Since Bextra is the only medication I am taking, I thought that I would check on the internet to see if I am possibly suffering from side effects of this medication (the doctor gave me samples of Bextra to take home with no literature on this medication). Rhoda No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: 0.0000 I shattered my ankle several months ago and still have significant pain, stiffness and swelling in it that severely limits my after-work productivity. Without medication, I limp badly and must elevate the ankle frequently. Tylenol, Advil and Ibuprofen gave no noticeable relief.
Bextra was like a miracle. After two days on it, I could walk freely and, though I could still feel some pain in the ankle, it was "ignorable." HOWEVER, I immediately began to have severe nosebleeds, something I almost never experienced before. After two weeks of this, I cut the dose from 20 mg to 10 mg, and the nosebleeds lessened but did not stop. After four weeks on Bextra, I began to feel as though my head were going to burst and I could hear my pulse in my ears. I took my blood pressure and it was 147 over 97. Previously I RARELY had readings above 120 over 80. I began to follow my blood pressure and found that it varied wildly --- frequently with lower readings in the high 90's or just over 100, but sometimes dropping to low 70s. I stopped the Bextra for two weeks and the blood pressure returned to normal, but the leg pain was so great that I started taking Bextra again. Then I was awakened in the middle of the night with sharp burning pain in my good leg, and bothered in the middle of the day with minor pain behind my left breast.
I went to my doctor, who took me off Bextra and gave me a different pain reliever. I'm limping again, but maybe I've averted a heart attack or stroke.Chris Not sure to start taking this drug May 12th, 2008 Rating: 0.0000 My sons doctor gave him some samples of Bextra. I had taken him in to the doc for fluid on his knee. He was in a dirt bike accident this past summer. The doctor didn't give him any info so I said that I would look it up on the net before he could take them. Now I am scared to let him start. He has asthma. This scares me the most!!! Guess I'd better talk to the doc myself. (My son is 18) JC Bextra effects May 12th, 2008 Rating: 0.0000 I have been on Bextra for 1 week. I am taking it for tendonitis. Don't know if it's helping but it isn't hurting so far. I do have a neighbor who was on it for back pain & had to quit taking Bextra when he broke out in hives.
michelle lucky so far May 12th, 2008 Rating: 0.0000 I have been taking Bextra for 2 years or more now. I have not had any side effects so far. Sometimes I skip my dosage or double up if need from 10 mg to 20mg. Anyway, it has completely taken away my pain but the pain will come back if I lift anything more than 10 lbs. So, it keeps the pain away but doesn't cure my tendionitis in my arms. Ih ope this info helps someone out there. I don't know how long I can stay on it because I am only 32 years old. does anyone know how long it takes to start effecting the liver etc.??
ThanksDMILLER No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I have been taking Bextra for 6 days now for a severely broken clavicle and torn rotator cuff. It has done nothing to help the pain. I am glad I stumbled onto this site because now I am going to call my Doc. and ask for a change. Bubba No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I have been taking Bextra for 2 years, and have only just heard about the possible side effects such as reduction of production of red blood cells--has anyone else heard about this side-effect? I also have had itching on my scalp, but have no psoriasis or dandruff. My hair stylist has changed shampoos, but I still have the itching. Bextra??? nancy No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated my doctor gave me samples of Bextra for arthritic pain but
after reading all the comments, i think i'll stick with ibuprofen.Anonymous No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I checked out this site because a few hours after I had taken half of a 10 mg tablet, I started having pain in my neck and a tightening of my adam's apple. Had no idea what it could have been from and thought I should look for adverse side effects to see if it cuold have been the Bextra. Nancy No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I have been using Bextra since I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis, after a short time of using Celebrex. Bextra works great for me I would like to know what the long time use side effects might be. The other medications have not worked for me, and I would hate to give up using a product that works so well. michael d coleman slow to know May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated after 5 days of 20mg/day no skin rash or weakness the pain level is less it is to early to evaluate my reactions to this drug but I can say that pain levels in my neck and mid spine has not decreased . I will keep on the drug for 30 days and get back to you. Anonymous No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I've been using Bextra for about 1-1/2 weeks. Now am covered from head to toe in horrible red rash. Throat burns. Chest hurts. Can't sleep. Blurred vision. Mind races. Called doctor - he blamed it on the blood pressure pills I've taken for years (yeah, right). I took myself off the Bextra and am looking for a new doctor! Cindy Bextra May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated
I have been using Bextra now for about 2 weeks, I have not experienced any rashes, itchiness, or any of the above noted side effects. After using Naproxen for a couple of years( a great drug,) the doctor figured it was time to try something else, and after no relief from Celebrex I was ready to give Bextra a try. After being in a few MVA's in 1 year, any relief from the pain is worth giving a try. SO far so good. I would welcome any information regarding the long term effects form Bextra.Terri No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I have taken Bextra for two weeks, once a day for a factured foot. I was fine for the first week and a half. It did relieve the pain, but now I feel dizzy and weak. I am going to discontinue . Nancy Bextra May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I too was on Bextra for a stress fracture in my foot. I developed a terrible rash everywhere especially red on the neck and chest area. The rash was very itchy. My throat also felt sore and it felt like it was closing up. I called my podiatrist who told me to stop taking the med and had to take benedryl for several days. I also went to my family physician who attributed it to my blood pressue med I have been on for years. Went to an allergist who didn't know anything about bextra and told me I still had some histamines in my skin!! Put me on allegra for 2 weeks. Either these physicians are ignoring that this is a big problem or the drug manufacturers are puting the pressure on them to prescribe Bextra, amy bextra May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated Am taking bextra and flexaril for ruptured disc have been for 2 mos. About two weeks ago I had a terrible dizzy blackout spell. thought it was a fluke so went on. two days ago I experienced 2 more spells just like it. Went to my herbalist to be "tested". Bextra was not the sole cause of the black outs but DEFINATELY contributed....bloodflow to the brain was being hindered. Lynn No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I start taking Bextra one week ago and have been experiencing severe leg cramps at night. This has happen the last three night. I guess after what
I have read I will discontinue taking Bextra.Liz Pain medications May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated Bextra like any other medication such as Tylenol which is acetaminophen, Motrin which is iboprofen and any other medication for pain is not 100 % safe for the stomach,the liver or the Kidneys if taken very frequently. Once in a while using other methods of pain control such as water exercises,massage and rest can be alternatives to constantly taking pain meds. All these meds have to be processed by these organs and they eventually take a toll if use too often. Some people can have very violent reactions but the frequent usage can be also very detrimental. Therefore sometimes tolerating some pain might be better than the side effects these medications can provoke. I have Fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis and I know is very difficult to live with these conditions.I was given Bextra and also Flexoril for pain. I try to take them only when the pain is really bad and use other methods like massage with a homemedic massager or water massager in the shower with warm water. Moderation in usage is the key. Trisha Bextra May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I was recently diagonosed with a bulding disc with an annular tear around the disc along with arthritis in my back. The pain is unbearable. I have been to so many doctors and they have no idea how to treat me except with muscle relaxers and arthritis medication. I was prescribed Bextra 20 mg but am scared to death to use it because of some of the side effects that I have read on this website. Does anyone out there know how to treat a disc buldge or how to relieve the pain? If so I would love hearing from you. I have tried physical therapy, massage therapy, all sorts of muscle relaxants and still no success. My entire back is starting to go numb and I hate just having to deal with the pain. Please send me some advice Thanks Anonymous No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated Took Bextra to releive sinus pressure from an oncoming sinus infection (having the right connections lets you work quick on this type of thing). Worked like a charm, great med. Anonymous No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated Been on Bextra 20mg for disc problems, no side effects at all, was on vicodin for 2 years, and haven't felt better, only side effect is possibly loss of appetite Anonymous No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated i was given bextra and voixx for my hip pain (RA). I have been on the vioxx for almost a week now. it has REALLY helped with my pain, but it does make me nauseous and i can't sleep at night because i have this weird achy feeling that runs through my body. not sure if i am going to even try the bextra after reading these comments. THANK YOU! Candice No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated My husband suffers from degenerative back disease and has been taking Bextra for over 6 months with no side effects, so I suggested to my 86 year old father that he try it for the arthritis in his legs and neck. He felt great for about a week/ten days and then his ankles began to swell. This problem also occurred when he tried vioxx last year. He is now off it and the swelling is going down. I just think that it depends on the person and their own bodies reaction to the drug. Val No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I have been using Bextra off and on for over a year for pain in my knees and feet. I only take it for 5 to 7 days at a time and have never had any bad reactions. I would swear by this wonderful drug. sandy bextra May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated i have been taking bextra for two days now for knee pain and arthritis, i feel like i am going to die, feel dizzy and heads feel like it is spinning. feels like i have indigestion. will not take anymore. thanks for thio s site . Becki scared May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated i have never used bextra before. i am only on 10mg and after reading the side effects i am really scared of using bextra. would anyone help me and convince me to take the tablets. i have been on painkillers for over 7 years and my doctor has just put me on these, she thinks they will be better for me ann Liver Damage May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I have been using Bextra for two years now without any side effects. I have been using it to treat my lower back pain from a fall from a patient when I was a nurse. The Bextra allows me to get around pain free, and as soon as I discontinue it I am flat on my back in pain. I wouldnt be able to live a normal life without it.
So far, I have not had any side effects listed. I am also allergic to Sulfa drugs and have not had any of the side effects of allergic reaction as the people above have had.
This drug was a better choice for me than taking ibuprofen because the Cox2 Inhibitors are suspected to help prevent stomach ulcers where as ibuprofen taken for a long time and for high dosages caused me to have stomach pain and nausea.
I am very concerned about the risks of taking this drug over a period of time. I have had my blood checked and stool samples to check for any bleeding. But the long term risks of liver damage is still unknown and I was wondering if anyone has had any elevated liver enzymes after taking this drug. Thanks so much, ANNAnonymous No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I was given samples of Bextra 20 mg, once daily about three weeks ago by a surgeon to treat cervical (neck) spondylosis and herniated discs (as an alternative to surgery). I was amazed at how well it worked - within a few days, the pain was almost gone. I had been on many other pain medications and felt it was a miracle. I had experienced some chest tightness and itchy skin after starting the medication but since I was not given any warnings, I was not sure whether it could be related to the medication. Plus, I was so happy to be pain free, I did not want to sto taking it anyway. Now for the last week, I have been experiencing a burning, blistery skin lesion in the external genital area, as well as difficulty urinating. I have never experienced anything like this before, and after reading about the allergic reactions, I will stop taking it. I am a little suspicious, also, about so many doctors giving samples of this drug without any warnings. Judy Bextra May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated Dr. put me on Bextra on Wednesday and have seen relief from pain due to disc degeneration. I could not walk or hardly move for 3 days but now I can move again, But I feel weak and dizzy sometimes and after reading other comments on this drug feel afraid to continue this med. I don't know if the other risks are worth it to be able to move around freely again. Carolyn No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I'm 60 years old and I have taken Bextra now for about a year. No side effects, but only a very little change in my fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, foot, and torn rotator cuff symptoms either. I'm taking it because there isn't anything else out there that has worked for me other than narcotics (which isn't smart long-term...even if you can find a doctor to prescribe them). I've tried Vioxx, Celebrex, Mobic, naproxen, Advil, Tylenol, ibuprofen, aspirin. 20 mg of OxyContin is a miracle for me, but so many people have abused it that, around here, it's only available if you're a hospital patient. I'm running out of options and about ready to take up alcohol! Janice Asthma May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I have asthma and now reading about how it's bad taking Bextra scares me. I have been taking it for one year now and had alot of bouts with asthma and allergies.I do not know if should continue using this medicine. Please let me know so I know what to do.My doctor is an Internest and they also make mistakes. I have to order another supply of it and do not know what to do.Who can realy tell me the truth. Thank you