To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: COX-2 Inhibitor, Celebra, Approved In Brazil For Arthritis Treatment URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/DD7BE.htm Doctor's Guide January 21, 1999
CHICAGO, IL -- Jan. 21, 1999 -- The Brazilian Ministry of Health has approved GD Searle & Co.'s and Pfizer Inc.'s Celebra(TM) (celecoxib) for the treatment of arthritis. Celebra, the first in a group of anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications which act through the mechanism of specific COX-2 inhibition, is marketed as Celebrex in the United States. In clinical trials, Celebrex was shown to be as effective as the prescription-strength nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) naproxen in treating arthritis pain and inflammation. Celebrex was designed using advanced molecular technology. Scientists believe that Celebrex works by inhibiting an enzyme called COX-2, which plays a role in pain and inflammation. However, Celebrex, at therapeutic doses, does not inhibit the COX-1 enzyme, which helps maintain the normal stomach lining. NSAIDs in general inhibit both COX enzymes, so they treat pain and inflammation but may damage the stomach lining, potentially leading to ulcers in some patients. Arthritis is a chronic condition characterised by pain and inflammation of the joints (such as the knees, hips, fingers, feet, spine and shoulders). The most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis, is a degenerative joint disease in which cartilage that covers the ends of the bones in the joint deteriorates, causing pain and loss of movement. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.