Gastric bleeds painkiller risk

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http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/CalgarySun/News/2004/06/11/494612.html

New anti-inflammatory drugs called cox-2 inhibitors have stormed the market

in recent years, growth fuelled by claims they are easy on the stomach. But

a new study provides fresh evidence they aren't without risks.

A 41% jump in use in Ontario was followed by a 10% rise in the rate of

gastrointestinal bleeds -- the problem the high-priced alternatives to

Aspirin and older pain medications are meant to prevent. ...

Mamdani and colleagues from the institute looked at prescribing records for

all Ontario seniors -- 1.3 million -- from September 1994 through February

2002. That was the period during which cox-2s -- Celebrex, Vioxx, Mobicox

and others -- hit the market. ...