Cox-2 Inhibitors Compared with Opioids

There are several types of medications commonly prescribed for chronic back and neck pain. In addition to being effective tools for pain management, each can have unpleasant, and possibly dangerous, side effects. This article compares two of them -- Cox-2 inhibitors and opioids.

The pain relievers Vioxx, Bextra and Celebrex are what are known as Cox-2 inhibitors. In 2004, Vioxx was pulled from the market because it was linked to heart disease. One year later, Bextra was also pulled.

Many people who suffer from chronic pain are looking for a replacement for Vioxx and Bextra. Celebrex, the only drug of the three remaining on the U.S. market, now comes with a "black box warning". This is a label designed to stand out enough to let you know that the safety of this drug is questionable. Physicians who prescribe Celebrex have been instructed by the FDA to give you a Medication Guide, which will cover risk and dosage information.

The use of opioids is encouraged by many medical researchers, doctors and, of course, the drug companies that make them. However, opioids are narcotics, and are therefore highly addictive. One brand of opioid, OxyContin, was touted as a "safe" narcotic by company representatives in a very successful marketing campaign. But the top executives of Purdue Pharma, makers of OxyContin, later admitted in court that those claims were false and misleading.

The lives, well-being and health of patients are at stake when determining what types of pain medications to take.