Celebrex Alternative

Finding a safe cox-2 Celebrex alternative is questionable. In September 2004 Vioxx, a cox-2 Celebrex alternative, was pulled from the market following clinical trials showing the drug doubled a patients risk of heart attack or stroke. Pfizer, the maker of Celebrex, advertised that Celebrex did not pose the same cardiovascular risk as Vioxx.

Studies continued on Celebrex and Bextra, another cox-2 NSAID manufactured by Pfizer. By the end of 2004, Celebrex and Bextra were shown to cause double the chance of heart attack and stroke. The FDA urged doctors to reduce their prescription sales and warned the general public of Celebrex side effects. The FDA also urged doctor and patients to find a safer Celebrex alternative.

In January 2005, the FDA banned Pfizer from advertising Celebrex as an alternative to Vioxx. According to the FDA, Pfizer underestimated the seriousness of Celebrex side effects. A review of the National Institute of Health’s 40 agency Celebrex studies was also made to calculate Celebrex’s cardiovascular risk. Patients and doctors responded quickly with a 56% decrease in new prescriptions of Celebrex and a desperate desire to find a Celebrex alternative.

The FDA in April 2005 ordered a Bextra recall along with a stronger warning label on Celebrex products. Since the safety of cox-2 and even some traditional NSAID’s are questionable, discuss with your doctor safe Celebrex alternatives.

Traditional NSAID’s such as ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin may be used as a Celebrex alternative. These Celebrex alternatives have been used since the 1970’s to treat pain. Patients using traditional NSAID’s as a Celebrex alternative face the risk of gastrointestinal complications such as ulcers and stomach bleeding. The FDA ordered stronger waning labels on traditional NSAID’s regarding the potential gastrointestinal and cardiovascular health risks.

Doctors quite often recommend acetaminophen (Tylenol’s active ingredient) as a Celebrex alternative because of its quick pain relief, lack of serious side effects and affordable cost. Unfortunately this Celebrex alternative does not reduce inflammation. Another Celebrex alternative, Hyaluronic Acid, is a naturally occurring body substance which lubricates joints and permits flexible joint movement. Hyalgan and Synvisc which mimic Hyaluronic Acid are injected into the knee joint. Corticosteroids such as Prednisone are effective as Celebrex alternatives but cause many side effects, including damage to the cartilage.

Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARD’s) such as Arava, Methotrexate, Hydroxychloroquine, Penicillamine and Gold Injections provide patients with another Celebrex alternative. DMARD’s provide a Celebrex alternative which works to stop or decrease the arthritic damage in the joint by correcting the immune system abnormalities causing the disease. Serious side effects require close monitoring by a physician of this Celebrex alternative.

Celebrex alternatives also include narcotic analgesics such as hydrochloride (Darvon), oxycodone (Oxycontin) and tramadol (Ultram). These Celebrex alternatives relieve pain but do not reduce inflammation. Doctors prescribe these Celebrex alternatives only for short periods of time in low doses to prevent addiction.

Biologic agents and biologic response modifiers such as Enbrel and Remicade which reduce joint inflammation are also Celebrex alternatives. These Celebrex alternatives alter the immune system protein TNF (tumor necrosis factor) which causes joint inflammation. Due to the high cost of this Celebrex alternative most doctors only use it when the patient does not respond well to DMARD’s.

Celebrex alternatives also include an effective device known as a Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulator (TENS). This device emits a mild electric pulse to nerve endings in and around the affected joint. It blocks pain messages to the brain and modifies the body’s perception of pain.

Topical analgesics used as Celebrex alternatives work by disrupting nerve endings messages of pain from reaching the brain and also prevents the body from producing chemicals associated with pain. These topical applications include counterirritants, salicylates and capsaicin. Surgery may become the Celebrex alternative in advanced cases of arthritis. Surgery may involve removal of the synovium, realigning the joint or complete joint replacement.

Exercise and weight reduction are effective Celebrex alternatives which help to reduce join pain and stiffness while increasing joint mobility. Walking, stretching, swimming and range of motion exercises plus weight loss can relieve pain in affected joints. A massage therapist can gently massage or knead the affected area, which increases blood flow and is a temporary Celebrex alternative.

Natural herbs and nutritional supplements work as Celebrex alternatives by relieving pain and inflammation. Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM have gained respect as a Celebrex alternative through years of use by many arthritic patients. Other Celebrex alternatives include White Willow Bark, Hyaluronic Acid, Cetyl Myristoleate, Omega 3 fish oil, Flaxseed oil, Bromelain and BioCell Collagen II.

These natural therapy herbs contain phytonutrients which may significantly inhibit cox-2 while being a safe Celebrex alternative: Chinese Goldenthread & Barberry, Ginger, Green Tea, Holy Basil, Hu Zhang, Oregano, Rosemary, Scutellaria, and Turmeric.

Many natural treatments are available as Celebrex alternatives to help reduce the pain and inflammation of arthritis. Always discuss all the Celebrex alternatives with your arthritis doctor to find the correct and safe treatment designed for you.

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