Antigua's Consumer
Affairs issues medical alert
Over-the-counter drugs in Antigua
The Consumer Affairs Office in St. John's
Photos: Norman 'Gus' Thomas
by Norman 'Gus' Thomas
Caribbean Net News Special Regional Correspondent
Thursday, December 30, 2004
ST. JOHN'S, Antigua: Antigua and Barbuda's Division of Price and Consumer Affairs (DPCA) has issued an alert to consumers of Aleve and other over the counter brands of
Naproxen.
In speaking with Caribbean Net News, a spokesperson for the division reported that several well-known pain-relieving drugs are presently under heavy scrutiny in the United States, and this comes as result of medical reports regarding heart attacks and strokes, particularly in the elderly and those having by-pass surgery.
The DPCA official went on to explain that the alert also covered several prescription drugs for arthritis and other painful conductions, Celebrex and Bextra, manufactured by Pfizer, adding that, in a recent WebMD medical report, a colon cancer prevention study conducted by the National Cancer Institute, revealed that Celebrex significantly increased heart attacks, as well as strokes.
There has also been a recent warning that Bextra should not be prescribed for patients undergoing heart by-pass surgery. It has been reported that the drug increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes and may pose a greater risk than the previously pulled Vioxx.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reinforcing the warnings about a potentially fatal skin reaction from this drug. The report also stated that there has been at least four recorded deaths involving patients with histories of allergies to Sulfa, an ingredient found in
BEXTRA.
The FDA also cautions regarding over-the-counter drug Naproxen, which is said to be the main ingredient in another well known painkiller Aleve which is made by Bayer Healthcare.
Back...
Most popular
articles: viewed, printed and e-mailed
Printable
version
| 
