Bextra Lawsuits

What is Bextra?

Bextra® (valdecoxib) is a type of prescription pain medication known as a COX-2 selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) or a COX-2 inhibitor. It is the lesser known of three so-called "miracle drugs," Vioxx®, Celebrex®, and Bextra®, that were widely prescribed to relieve arthritis and menstrual pain. Bextra® was withdrawn from the marketplace in 2005 by its manufacturer, Pfizer, Inc., upon request by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Why was Bextra Taken off the Market?

Bextra® and other NSAIDs came under intense scrutiny by the public and the FDA after Merck & Co. voluntarily withdrew its blockbuster COX-2 inhibitor, Vioxx®, from the marketplace in September 2004 after a clinical study linked the sustained use of the drug to an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.

Continued study of NSAIDs, including Bextra®, led the FDA to conclude that the overall risk versus benefit profile of Bextra® was unfavorable. In response to the FDA's request, Pfizer voluntarily withdrew Bextra® from the marketplace on April 7, 2005. The FDA based its request upon:

• The presence of inadequate clinical data on the cardiovascular safety of the long-term use of Bextra®
• The increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events in patients taking Bextra® immediately after heart surgery
• Reports of serious and potentially life-threatening skin reactions, including Steven Johnsons Syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, in patients taking Bextra®
• The lack of any demonstrated advantages for Bextra® compared with other NSAIDs

What Risks are Associated with Taking Bextra?

Patients taking Bextra® have suffered various ill effects, including:

• Heart attacks
• Strokes
• Blood clots
• Nonbacterial meningitis
• Stevens Johnson Syndrome
• Toxic epidermal necrolysis
• Kidney damage leading to kidney failure
• Interaction with blood pressure medication
• Death

Why is Pfizer Being Sued?

Both Merck and Pfizer spent hundreds of millions of dollars advertising their miracle pain relievers to the public. Some argue that the aggressive ad campaigns created a false image of the drugs being absolutely safe. With Vioxx® being pulled from the market because of its link to heart attacks and strokes and Celebrex® being linked to same cardiovascular risks, Bextra® users are questioning whether Pfizer knew more about the heart risks than the company admitted.

Who Can File a Bexta Lawsuit?

If you have suffered a Bextra®-related injury, or if you are a close family member of someone who died as a result of a Bextra®-related injury, you may be able to file a Bextra® lawsuit.

How Do I File a Bextra Claim?

If you want to file a lawsuit, you should find a lawyer as soon as possible. Each state has a time limit, called a statute of limitations, restricting how long you have to file your Bextra® claim. The time limit varies from state to state. But if you wait too long, you will be barred from taking legal action.

When choosing a lawyer, you should look for someone who has experience dealing with Bextra® lawsuits. After all, Pfizer has legal experts defending it against Bextra® claims that are similar to yours. You should find a lawyer with proven experience in the field, someone who has the resources and contacts to deal with your case quickly and efficiently.

An experienced lawyer will be able to advise you about your options, including whether you should file an individual lawsuit or opt for a class action. Your lawyer may be able to advise you about your chances of success and give you an idea of how much compensation you can reasonably hope to recover.

Once you have selected a lawyer, you will need to provide information regarding: