Not a surprise to find out Pfizer's Bextra, the drug that replaced Vioxx in late September as the current inflammatory of choice among conventional physicians, was just as problematic after a prominent cardiologist announced a pooled analysis of clinical trial results showed patients taking the drug were twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke as those taking a placebo. In fact, an analysis of nearly 6,000 patients showed the risk of Bextra to be higher than Vioxx.

Although the researcher who conducted the analysis admitted his analysis, which reexamined data that had already been presented, is not as persuasive as a blind clinical trial, the results were so significant that they warranted a more thorough review of the entire class of anti-inflammatories by the FDA.

Just another reminder that pain-killing drugs -- meant to relieve symptoms but never the true condition -- are rarely necessary. Why take the risk of serious side effects from anti-inflammatories when you can create your own anti-inflammatory, merely by changing the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats in your diet.

USA Today November 10, 2004