Dangerous Drugs:
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Voltaren : anti-inflammatory drug may cause heart attack

A recent study shows that the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac may pose greater health risks than the arthritis drug Vioxx. These risks include a 40% increased chance of heart attack and stroke. Vioxx was taken off the market in 2004 when evidence of similar health risks was linked to the drug. Diclofenac, marketed as Voltaren, remains on the market in 62 countries.

A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Newcastle in Australia and reported in a recent issue of JAMA shows evidence that when taken in high doses medications such as dicolofenac and ibuprofen may significantly increase the risk of heart attack. Dicolofenac, marketed under many different names including Volataren and Cataflam, may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke by as much as 40% according to the study. Researchers found that diclofenac appears to be harmful at even commonly used doses causing them to urge health officials to review whether diclofenac should stay on the market.

The popular arthritis drug Vioxx was removed from the market in 2002 when similar health risks were discovered. Vioxx was found to increase the risk of heart attack and stroke by 35%. Accordingly, a recent study shows that dicolofenac, Voltaren, increases health risks at a higher rate than Vioxx. According the study Dicolofenac may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke by as much as 40%.

Diclofenac is a regular nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to alleviate pain in patients suffering from arthritis or similar conditions. The drug has been on the market since 1988 and has been marketed under many different names, including Voltaren. Diclofenac is currently being marketed in 62 countries by a large number of manufacturers.

Arcoxia, Merck's replacement for Vioxx, demonstrates similar risks as those posed by diclofenac. Merck claims that Arcoxia should be approved for the market by federal health officials because the drugs risks are no greater than diclofenac which is currently on the market in mass production. Vioxx and Arcoxia are both COX-2 inhibitors used to alleviate pain in arthritis patients. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to decide whether it will allow Arcoxia on the market.

In an editorial, Dr. Grahman, a FDA employee, advises patients with arthritis or other conditions that require chronic pain relief to take naproxen. Naproxen appears to be the safest among the medications currently used to alleviate pain in arthritis patients.
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