Warning over arthritis drugs

Concern was mounting today over the safety of popular arthritis drugs after new research highlighted health risks.

Major studies from America and Australia have shown the anti-inflammatory painkiller taken by one million people in the UK has been linked to heart attacks and increased blood pressure.

The research comes as the Cox-2 inhibitors class of drugs is being scrutinised by US and European medicines safety bodies. One brand, Vioxx, was withdrawn from sale last year after it was shown to increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Lawyers Alexander Harris are now investigating 100 cases of patients in this country who may have been harmed by Vioxx after experts at the American Food and Drink Administration estimated between 89,000 and 139,000 people in America have died or suffered heart attacks or strokes after taking the drug.

Patients' group Arthritis Research Campaign say urgent clarification is now needed.

A spokesman said: "There has been such a steady build-up of damning evidence against Cox-2s over the past few months that it may well be that this entire class of drugs could be withdrawn completely by drug regulators in the US and Europe following their meetings this week.

"We currently have a very unsatisfactory situation in this country where some GPs and hospitals no longer prescribe these drugs to their arthritis patients, yet others are continuing to do so. We'd like the drugs regulators to issue some clear guidelines as soon as possible, and end this confusion."

Cox-2s were developed in the Nineties to ease inflammatory arthritis pain but without the side effects - such as stomach bleeding - of some other drugs.

The latest research in the New England Journal of Medicine show patients on Cox-2 inhibitors are at greater risk of heart attacks and stroke.

The papers had been due for publication next month but the journal decided to release them early because of the possible public health implications.

Product and pharmaceutical liability law expert David Harris said: "We have received more than 250 enquiries from people who believe they have been harmed as a result of taking the drug Vioxx."