Bextra can cause extreme side effects, including (but not limited to) the
following:
Anaphylaxis is a sudden, severe, potentially fatal, systemic allergic reaction
involving various areas of the body such as the skin, respiratory tract,
gastrointestinal tract, and cardiovascular system. Unlike Stevens Johnson Syndrome, these symptoms occur within
minutes and up to two hours after contact with the allergy-causing
substance, but in rare instances may occur up to four hours later.
Angioedema
refers to swelling that
occurs in the tissue just below the surface of the skin. It
generally results from an allergic reaction to either a food or
medication. It may be a sign of an underlying condition such as leukemia or
Hodgkin's disease. This is often associated with Stevens Johnson syndrome.
Toxic
Epidermal Necrolysis
is a life-threatening skin disorder characterized by blistering and
peeling
of the top layer of skin.
This
disorder can be caused by a drug reaction to penicillin but has now been
linked to Bextra.
Erythema
Multiforme
(EM) is an acute self-limited eruption characterized by a distinctive
clinical eruption, the hallmark of which is the iris or target lesion.
EM may be present within a wide spectrum
of severity. EM minor represents a localized eruption of the skin with mild or
no mucosal involvement, corresponding to the initial description of von
Hebra. EM major
and Stevens Johnson syndrome (SJS) are more severe mucosal and skin
diseases as well as potentially life-threatening disorders.
Generalized
Exfoliative Dermatitis
is a severe inflammation of the entire skin surface due to a reaction to
certain drugs, or as a result of complications from another skin
condition.
In some cases, lymph node cancer
(lymphoma) causes generalized exfoliative
dermatitis.
Heart Attacks and Strokes
A recent study (October/November 2004) showed that certain patients were at higher risk for heart attacks as a result of taking Bextra. An initial study last year raised similar concerns in the same kinds of patients. Coupling this with the information about Vioxx, anyone taking a Cox-2 inhibitor like Bextra should be concerned.
Stevens
Johnson Syndrome.
Common causes are the drugs including Arava
(leflunomide), painkillers, and antibiotics.
Bextra has now been linked to this
potentially life threatening syndrome.
Symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome are blistering, fever, cough,
malaise, swelling and lesions of gums, tongue, or lips and excessive
tearing or "stickiness" of eyes and sores in the genital tract causing
painful urination.
Patients who have severe allergies to antibiotics should not use
Bextra. If you
develop any of the following symptoms consult your doctor immediately.
More serious side effects that you should report immediately include
blood in urine, dark yellow or brown urine; black tar-like stools;
difficulty breathing, fast heartbeat; skin rash, hives, redness,
blistering, peeling or itching; stomach tenderness, pain, bleeding,
cramps; unexplained weight gain or edema; and yellowing of eyes or skin.
Do not take Bextra if you had an allergic
reaction to aspirin or other NSAID.
Bextra should also be avoided if you have a
history of peptic ulcer or GI bleeding.
The effects of Bextra
have not been studied in children, and should not be used in the
third trimester of pregnancy. Similarly, it is not known if Bextra
is excreted in breast milk, though it is excreted in the breast
milk of rats, so the drug should not be taken by nursing mothers.
You may be required to have frequent blood work while on Bextra.
It is very important that you keep all lab and doctor’s appointments.
If you get black, tarry stools or vomit what looks like coffee grounds,
call your doctor at once. You may have a bleeding ulcer.
If you already had Stevens Johnson Syndrome symptoms diagnosed and
believe the use of Bextra to be a contributing factor, fill out
the form below to immediately contact our representatives and discuss
your options.
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