Chapter One
What Is Arthritis?
"Not too long ago I was walking with a cane. But now that I'm taking Celebrex, I feel much better. This past New Year's Eve, I even went out and danced My cane has been retired to the corner now, and I'm going to bring it to my church and donate it to somebody who really needs it."
Laurie Schuster, 37-year-old osteoarthritis patient and participant in Celebrex clinical trials
Chances are that you or someone close to you suffers from arthritis, a sometimes crippling joint disease that affects nearly one in six Americans. For the more than 40 million people in this country who struggle with one form of arthritis or another, a wide variety of medications and techniques are available to manage pain, stiffness, and swelling. But it is an unfortunate reality that many medications potentially have unpleasant and sometimes even dangerous side effects Because of this, scientists are constantly exploring new avenues in the treatment of this troubling family of disorders.
In this book you will learn about an exciting new group of anti-arthritis medications called COX-2 inhibitors. Celebrex, or celecoxib (its generic name), is the first FDA-approved COX-2 inhibitor. Not everybody who takes Celebrex throws away her cane and goes out dancing like Laurie Schuster, but many have found welcome relief from pain and inflammation coupled with a wonderful new freedom from side effects. In clinical trials involving thousands of arthritis patients, therapeutic doses of Celebrex reduced pain and inflammation as effectively as ibuprofen and similar medications while causing fewer gastrointestinal side effects such as bleeding ulcers.
What is arthritis?
The wordarthritis comes from the Greek arth, which means "joint," and itis, which means "Inflammation." Arthritis is actually an umbrella term for more than 100 different diseases that affect primarily the joints but sometimes other parts of the body as well. Most frequently, arthritic or rheumatic diseases involve pain, stiffness, and in many cases inflamniation of the joints. Joints are the junctions at which bones come together, such as at the knees and hips.
How common is arthritis?
Arthritis affects nearly one in six Americans, or more than 40 million people. This represents 15 percent of the population of the United States. With the
aging of the baby boomer generation, the number of people who have arthritis is expected to reach 60 million by the year 2020. Worldwide, some 350 million people suffer from arthritis.
What types of arthritis are now COX-2 inhibitors designed to treat?
At present COX-2 inhibitors have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of osteoarthritis and adult rheumatoid arthritis. It is possible that in time they will be prescribed to treat other types of arthritis. In addition, the FDA approved Vioxx for the treatment of acute general and menstrual pain. (Vioxx has not yet been approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.)
What are the most common types of arthritis?
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are most common. In osteoarthritis (OA), cartilage deteriorates over time in the hips, knees, feet, and spine. In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the membranes lining the joints become inflamed, limiting the joint's range of motion. RA is an autoimmune disease, caused when the body mistakenly attacks its owntissues. OA may affect just one joint, while RA usually affects many joints.
Now many people suffer from those types of arthritis?
In this country, about 21 million people have osteoarthritis, and more than 2 million suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. Worldwide, nearly 190 million individuals have osteoarthritis, and more than 16.5 million have rheumatoid arthritis. Related problems such as gout, lupus, fibromyalgia, and osteoporosis frequently occur as well. (Read more about the many different types of arthritis and related conditions in Chapter Two.)
What makes COX-2 inhibitors different from other drugs prescribed to treat arthritis?
COX-2 inhibitors are as effective in relieving joint pain and inflammation as ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, but in therapeutic doses they reduce the incidence of uncomfortable and sometimes life-threatening side effects such as ulcers and stomach bleeding.
What are NSAIDs?
NSAIDs are the most commonly prescribed medications for arthritis. As their name states, they are drugs that are not steroids but do control inflammation. NSAIDs also control pain.
Are there a number of different COX-2 inhibitors?
Yes. Celebrex was only the first FDA-approved COX-2 inhibitor, shortly followed by Vioxx. Others are still under review. COX-2 inhibitors, members of a special subcategory of NSAIDs, are more selective
in their actions in our bodies than ordinary NSAIDs, and because of this they cause fewer gastrointestinal side effects.
Be COX-2 inhibitors have any other potential uses?
Yes. Researchers believe COX-2 inhibitors may play a role in the prevention of colon cancer and Alzheimer's disease, and in thereduction of many types of pain. These include dental pain, menstrual cramps, postsurgical discomfort, backaches, and headaches. In Chapter Four we will take a much closer, in-depth look at COX-2 inhibitors, but first let's examine the disease they are especially designed to treat.
Who is likely to develop arthritis?
Arthritis affects people of all ages in all walks of life, and it appears in countries around the world. It strikes men, women, and even children. Different types of arthritis target different groups of individuals. For example:
In osteoarthritis, the most common form of this disease, decades of wear and tear on the joints eventually lead to the breakdown of bones and cartilage, causing pain and stiffness. Mostly men and women over fifty suffer from OA.Rheumatoid arthritis, a very serious autoimmune disease of unknown origin, can lead to irreversible joint and organ damage. It most...
Celebrex, the revolutionary drug recently approved by the FDA to bring relief to arthritis sufferers, is also believed to play a role in the prevention and treatment of colon cancer and Alzheimer's disease. This comprehensive Q&A guide gives readers all the essential information they need to know about the drug and other Cox-2 inhibitors.
For the first time in more that a decade, new pain relief avable to arthritist suffers. Celebrex, the revolutionary drug recently approved by the FDA, has been dubbed the "new super asprin," and the reesponse to it has been extraodinary. For thousands, it has brought the relief they have been unable to get fron other medications. Now researchers believe it may play a role in the prevention and treatment of colon cancer and Alzheimer's disease. This comprehensive Q & A guide will give you all the essential information you need about this new and miraculous pain-relieving drug.AT LASTREAL PAIN RELIEF!
For the first time in more than a decade, new pain relief is available to arthritis sufferers. Celebrex, the revolutionary drug recently approved by the FDA, has been dubbed the "new super aspirin," and the response to it has been extraordinary. For thousands, it has brought the relief they have been unable to get from other medications. Now researchers believe it may play a role in the prevention and treatment of colon cancer and Alzheimer's disease. This comprehensive O & A guide will give you all the essential information you need about this new and miraculous pain-relieving drug, including:
7 Does Celebrex control pain and swelling more effectively than the standard arthritis therapies?
7 Is Celebrex less likely to cause stomach ulcers?
7 What are Cox-2 inhibitors and how do they work?
7 Are Cox-2 inhibitors sold under names other than Celebrex?
7 Is Celebrex effective against other kinds of pain?
7 What are the other healing effects of Celebrex?
7 How can I get this new pain-relieving drug?
AND MUCH MORE!