The National Institutes of Health’s Alzheimer’s disease prevention study revealed that there was no increased cardiovascular risk seen in elderly patients taking Celebrex 400mg daily for up to three years.
The Alzheimer’s disease and Prevention Trial (ADAPT), which included 2,400 patients, did however, report an increased cardiovascular risk among patients taking Bayer’s Aleve (naproxen), an over-the-counter pain reliever.
“Recently, preliminary information from three major long-term clinical trials with Celebrex has become available. Because the early information from these trials is inconsistent, physicians and patients are understandably confused,” said Hank McKinnell, chairman and CEO of Pfizer.
McKinnell continued, “That’s why the full study results must be shared with the medical, scientific and regulatory experts so that we have a more complete understanding of the risks and benefits of these medicines.”