Bextra Skin Reactions

Bextra has been linked to severe skin conditions and rashes. In fact, Bextra has been linked to Stevens Johnson Syndrome and other skin hypersensitivity disorders. Stevens Johnson Syndrome is an extreme allergic reaction to chemicals. Common causes are the drugs including Arava (leflunomide), painkillers, and sulfa antibiotics. Bextra has now been linked to this potentially life threatening syndrome. Symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome are blistering, fever, cough, malaise, swelling and lesions of gums, tongue, or lips, excessive tearing or “stickiness” of eyes, sores in the genital tract causing painful urination, skin rash, difficulty breathing. Patients who have severe allergies to antibiotics should not use Bextra.

Bextra (generic name: valdecoxib), a Cox-2 Inhibitor drug, is the same drug family as Vioxx, Celebrex and Naproxen. People prescribed Bextra have experienced a higher number of heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular problems. Bextra is prescribed for the treatment of adult rheumatoid arthritis, and the pain associated with menstrual cramping.

On April 7, 2005, the FDA and European regulators formally asked Pfizer to suspend sales of Bextra in the United States and Europe. As a result, Pfizer announced it would halt sales of the drug in the United States and the European Union countries immediately. The FDA stated that the risks posed by Bextra outweigh its benefits. These risks include a high rate of heart attacks, strokes, other cardiovascular injuries and Steven Johnson Syndrome.

FDA advisory committee hearings held in February 2005 examined whether Celebrex and Bextra offered enough benefits to stay on the market, if they needed stronger warnings and what further research was needed. The advisers met from February 16, 2005 through February 18, 2005 and ultimately voted to keep Bextra on the market. The New York Times reported that 10 of the 32 government drug advisers who voted to keep Bextra and the other COX-2 drugs on the market have consulted for pharmaceutical manufacturers. If these 10 advisers had not cast their votes, the committee would have voted 12 to 8 that Bextra should be withdrawn.

Do you or a loved one suffer from any of the following problems:

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is the most severe form of erythema multiforme and is characterized by ulcerated lesions on the skin and mucous membranes. It is a serious, sometimes fatal inflammatory disease. It is also known as erythema multiforme major.

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Symptoms

Typically, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome affects the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, nostril, eyes, and both the anal and genital regions. It may or may not be associated with skin lesions elsewhere on the body. Oropharyngeal (mouth) lesions may be so intolerable as to prevent eating, and there may be recurring oral ulcers. Often, the skin lesions may look like a target-lesion (3 concentric zones of color change) or as bullae (bubble-like).

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis

Toxic epidermal necrolysis is a life-threatening skin disorder characterized by a blistering and peeling of the top layer of skin. This disorder can be caused by a drug reaction – most often penicillin – or another disease. About one-third of all diagnosed cases of toxic epidermal necrolysis are a result of unknown causes.

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis SymptomsToxic Epidermal Necrolysis can cause the skin to peel off in sheets, leaving large areas that look scalded. The loss of skin causes fluids and salts to ooze from the raw, damaged areas, which can cause infections easily.

Call the offices of Evan D. Buxner today at 1-888-725-0503 or, email us for a free initial consultation to discuss your case and your rights under the law.