The drug known as Bextra is a COX-2 inhibitor, which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is prescribed in order to treat the debilitating effects of conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. This medication was formulated in order to relieve inflammation without the severe stomach and gastrointestinal issues older pain medications such as aspirin caused for users. While initially Bextra was heralded for its ability to fight inflammation, evidence began to emerge showing serious side effects.

Like Vioxx and Celebrex, two other drugs in the COX-2 inhibitor family, the use of Bextra has been linked to serious cardiovascular issues like blood clots, strokes, and cardiac events such as heart attacks. The medication can also cause severe allergic reactions in some people due to its sulfa base. The most serious of this allergy is known as Stephen-Johnson's Syndrome, a condition causing a potentially fatal rash that can spread throughout a victim's body.

The FDA has been forced to order the drug maker responsible for Bextra - Pfizer Pharmaceuticals - from the market in order to protect patients from these devastating side effects. Unfortunately, by time the ban was in place, the profound damage has already been inflicted. Bextra had already been prescribed to millions, who now find their health jeopardized by potentially life-threatening conditions linked to their prescription medication use.

If you or a loved one has been forced to endure the heartbreak of serious side effects from a medication you trusted such as Bextra, a defecting medication attorney can help you explore your legal rights. You may be entitled to compensation for your physical and emotional turmoil, but you have to act before your state's statutes of limitations expire. Don't wait - get the answers that you deserve today.