RESEARCH - Combining Celebrex with low-dose aspirin may reduce protection from heart attack and stroke

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Combining Celebrex With Low-Dose Aspirin May Reduce Protection From

Heart Attack And Stroke, Study Suggests

Medical News Today

Article Date: 15 Dec 2009 - 3:00 PST

Millions of Americans take Celebrex for arthritis or other pain. Many,

if they are middle-aged or older, also take a low-dose aspirin tablet

daily to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Yet they may be

getting little protection, because Celebrex keeps the aspirin from

doing its job effectively, a new study suggests.

In laboratory studies, University of Michigan researchers found that

several coxibs, the drug class to which Celebrex belongs, interfere

with aspirin's ability to discourage blood clots, if the aspirin is

taken in low doses. Celebrex, also known as celecoxib, is the only

coxib currently on the market. The results appear online in the

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Doctors frequently advise daily low-dose aspirin (81 mg) for patients

who have heart conditions, notably a serious form of angina known as

unstable angina, or for patients who are at risk of second heart

attacks. Aspirin is well-known for its ability to discourage formation

of blood clots that can lead to heart attack and stroke. In addition,

arthritis patients who take Celebrex regularly are often put on

low-dose aspirin because this is thought to counteract Celebrex's own

potential clot-promoting effect.

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http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/174048.php

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