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The results of a Pfizer-funded study reported in the NEJM revealed the noninferior cardiovascular safety of celecoxib compared with naproxen or ibuprofen, along with lower rates of gastrointestinal and renal adverse events.
Study details
The study· included 24 081 patients with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, at increased cardiovascular risk, from 926 centres in 13 countries. They required daily NSAID treatment for arthritis pain; all patients received esomeprazole. Patients were randomised to receive double-blinded NSAID treatment, with initial dosages of celecoxib 100mg twice daily, naproxen 375mg twice daily or ibuprofen 600mg three times daily. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis could receive a maximum celecoxib dose of 200mg twice daily. Any patients could received increased ibuprofen or naproxen dosages.
The primary composite endpoint was the first occurrence of an adverse event...