Celebrex may increase risk of heart attack, stroke or even death.

This is an investigation against PFizer based on the results of a recently released study demonstrating that painkiller Celebrex could more than double - and in some cases more than triple - the potential for heart attacks, strokes or even death. What is even more alarming is the release of a report in February 2005 that may prove these risks were known by Celebrex's manufacturer as early as 1999!

Celebrex is one of the top 10 selling drugs in the United States, with over 21 million prescriptions written in one year alone. Although Pfizer, Celebrex's manufacturer, claims that these results were "unexpected", a study has been uncovered that found that 'the number of Celebrex patients suffering heart attacks was almost four times that of those taking a placebo." The study was conducted by Pfizer in 1999. The study was never published and was not submitted to the FDA until several years later. According to The New York Times, the acting commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration said "doctors should consider switching patients who are taking Celebrex to other drugs." He has also said the FDA had "great concerns' about Celebrex and was 'considering regulatory measures that could include forcing Celebrex's withdrawal or placing severe warnings on its label."

Do not change medications without first consulting your doctor.