Rofecoxib

• this is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug which was licensed for the symptomatic treatment osteoarthritis before it was withdrawn from the market (1)
• the sparing of the COX-1 isoenzyme should, in theory, result in reduced gastrointestinal side-effects and improves tolerability. However the evidence that COX-2 selectivity reduces the risk of serious upper gastrointestinal side effects, particularly gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcer perforation, points towards some reduction of risk but the advantage over conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs appears small (1)

Note - marketed by Merck under the brand name Vioxx, it was approved in May 1999 to treat arthritis, acute pain, and dysmenorrhea. It was voluntarily withdrawn worldwide on September 30, 2004, due to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke associated with its use (2)

Reference:

1. Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin (2000), 38 (11), 81-86.
2. Committee on Safety of Medicines (September 30th 2004). DOH Cascade.