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Biotech / Medical : PFE (Pfizer) How high will it go? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: BigKNY3 who wrote (7259)	3/20/1999 8:38:00 AM
From: BigKNY3	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 9523

EVENING Health HEALTH LINE Letters Dr Allen J Douma 03/18/99 Chicago Tribune EVENING UPDATE; C Page 7 Q. Could you please give me some information on Celebrex --its side effects and such? My pharmacist doesn't have any information. I am experiencing drowsiness and extreme sugar craving. Any information you have would be greatly appreciated. A. Your pharmacist doesn't have much information about this drug because it's so new. Let me share what I have. Celebrex (chemical name, celecoxib) is a new prescription drug for relief of inflammation and pain associated with arthritis. Aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and other prescription and over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been prescribed for arthritis and other pain for many years. NSAIDs are quite effective in controlling inflammation and pain, but they also cause a variety of gastric side effects, especially when taken over a long period of time. Here's why. An enzyme in the body called cyclooxygenase (COX) has been found to be responsible for much of the inflammation that causes pain, and NSAIDs effectively inhibit that enzyme. However, researchers recently have found there are two types of cyclooxygenase, COX-1 and COX-2. COX-2 causes the inflammation, but COX-1 actually protects the lining of the stomach. Because NSAIDs inhibit both types of this enzyme, both the positive (anti- inflammatory) and the negative (erosion of stomach lining) effects are seen. Celecoxib seems to be almost as effective as selected NSAIDs at reducing inflammation, but because it specifically targets only the inflammation-causing type of enzyme, the COX-2, it's hoped that it won't cause the stomach problems of the NSAIDs. This drug was introduced only recently, so not enough people have taken it long enough for clinicians to assess its effectiveness or safety. However, I expect it will be tried by many doctors and arthritis sufferers in the next few months. We should learn more about it very soon. In the meantime, at your next visit to your doctor, be sure to talk about all your symptoms in detail. There may be another reason for your drowsiness and sugar craving