NOTE: April 7, 2005, Pfizer agreed to suspend sales and marketing of Bextra in the U.S., pending further discussions with the with the FDA. For more information, please read the FDA press release.

Bextra: Brand name for valdecoxib, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) that inhibits cox-2, an enzyme that makes prostaglandins which promote the inflammation and cause the pain, swelling and tenderness of arthritic joints.

Bextra is approved for the relief of pain, fever, swelling, and tenderness caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but it does not prevent the destruction of joints by the arthritis. Bextra also is approved for the relief of pain of menstrual cramps (primary dysmenorrhea).

Very serious allergic reactions including the Stevens Johnson syndrome and anaphylactoid reactions have been reported with Bextra. Patients who experience a rash after beginning Bextra should discontinue it immediately and contact their physician. Although Bextra is not a sulfonamide, it is recommended that patients with an allergy to sulfonamides ("sulfas") not take Bextra.