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Mobic

Mobic, generic name meloxicam, is a drug used to treat arthritis. It reduces pain, swelling, and stiffness of the joints. Meloxicam is known as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Mobic, made by privately-held Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, has been found to increase the risk of heart attacks in patients.

On April 7, 2005, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asked manufacturers of all prescription NSAIDs to revise the drug labeling (package insert) to include a ''boxed'' or serious warning about the potential for increased risk of cardiovascular events (including heart attack and stroke) and serious and potentially life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding associated with their use. This information would also state that patients who have just had heart surgery should not take these medications. The FDA also asked manufacturers of nonprescription (over-the-counter) NSAIDs to include information on the product label about the potential for cardiovascular events and GI bleeding, as well as skin reactions in patients taking these drugs.

Hundreds of thousands of arthritis sufferers turned to Mobic after the Vioxx recall, but is potentially just as dangerous as other cox-2 inhibitors. In September 2004, Merck recalled Vioxx after studies showed the painkiller doubled the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Since then, Pfizer's Bextra and Celebrex have been under scrutiny and FDA scientists are questioning the safety of top-selling Mobic.

Mobic is classified as a cox-2 inhibitor in some countries, but is not considered part of that group in the U.S., where it is only classified as part of the larger NSAID class.

Data from an FDA study shows that Mobic causes an even greater statistical risk of heart attacks than Vioxx and similar medications. The FDA analyzed data from California's Medicaid program, which covered more than 15,000 heart attack patients, and found that the statistical risk of heart attack was 1.37 percent for Mobic, compared to 1.32 percent with Vioxx and 1.09 percent with Celebrex.

NSAIDs like Mobic have been linked to the following side effects:

• Increased risk of gastrointestinal events such as bleeding, ulcerations and perforation or stomach or intestines
• Life threatening skin reactions
• Excessive fluid retention and swelling
• Diarrhea, indigestion, headache and flu-like symptoms.

NSAIDs like Mobic were originally developed and marketed to be a more effective painkiller than alternative medications while being gentler on the stomach. However, new evidence suggests the risks of taking NSAIDs may far outweigh any benefits. Serious complications such as stomach ulcers, skin rashes and blood disorders have all been reported. Additional side effects reported by people using Mobic:

• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Bleeding of the stomach
• Blood disorders.
• Abnormal reaction of the skin to light
• Narrowing of the airways
• Skin rash
• Urinary tract infection
• Respiratory infection
• Yellowing of skin or whites of eyes

Contact your doctor if you experience bloody, black, or tarry stools, blood in your vomit; swelling or rapid weight gain (fluid retention); unusual fatigue or weakness; yellowing of the skin or eyes; excessive itching; flu-like symptoms; or abdominal pain or tenderness. These symptoms could indicate serious side effects.