A randomized trial published today in The Lancet assesses the risk of adverse gastrointestinal effects — mainly bleeding — in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis patients associated with treatment using celecoxib (Celebrex) in a head-to-head comparison trial versus diclofenac (a commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) plus the stomach-protecting omeprazole (Prilosec). Researchers found that patients receiving diclofenac plus omeprazole were four times more likely to suffer upper or lower adverse gastrointestinal effects than those treated with celecoxib alone.
Though Celebrex has received its fair share of scrutiny in the past, a larger study like this only further aids to demonstrate its safety and efficacy. “Anti-pharmaceutical folks came down heavily on Celebrex in the past, but it continues to justify its previous high regard as a relatively safe drug in patients with arthritis,” says ACSH's Dr. Gilbert Ross. “This is the first time a direct comparison was conducted between combination therapy with diclofenac and omeprazole versus Celebrex, and lo and behold, Celebrex is much safer.”