COX-2 Inhibitors - Increasing Risk to Your Health?

Evaluating Risk Factors: COX-2 Inhibitors

Evaluating your likely current (and near future) state of health means taking into account the risk factors — such as COX-2 inhibitor use — that affect you. Our medical diagnosis tool, The Analyst™, identifies major risk factors by asking the right questions.

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If you indicate recent anti-inflammatory use, The Analyst™ will ask further questions including this one:

Have you used COX-2 inhibitors like celecoxib (Celebrex) and Rofecoxib (Vioxx)?

Possible responses:

→ Don't know
→ No
→ Use in the past only
→ Occasional / intermittent use
→ Regular, nearly daily use

The Diagnostic Process

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate absence of COX-2 inhibitor use, history of COX-2 inhibitor use, occasional COX-2 inhibitor use or regular COX-2 inhibitor use, The Analyst™ will use differential diagnosis to consider possibilities such as Stroke. Animal research suggests that the selectivity of COX-2 inhibitors could create an imbalance that promotes blood clotting and blood vessel constriction. COX-1 makes thromboxane A2, which promotes blood vessel constriction and "stickiness" in blood cells called platelets. COX-2 is the major source of prostacyclin, which helps prevent platelets from clumping and promotes blood vessel dilation. Until further research is completed it may be wise to use COX-2 inhibitors cautiously, if at all, if you are at greater risk of stroke. [Science April 19, 2002;296: pp.539-41]

Concerned or curious about your health? Try The Analyst™