Adverse upper gastrointestinal effects of rofecoxib compared with NSAIDs

MJ Langman, DM Jensen, DJ Watson, SE Harper… - Jama, 1999 - jamanetwork.com
ContextNonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)–induced gastrointestinal (GI) toxic
effects, such as upper GI tract perforations, symptomatic gastroduodenal ulcers, and upper
GI tract bleeding (PUBs), are thought to be attributable to cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1)
inhibition. Rofecoxib specifically inhibits COX-2 and has demonstrated a low potential for
causing upper GI injury. ObjectiveTo compare the incidence of PUBs in patients with
osteoarthritis treated with rofecoxib vs NSAIDs. DesignPrespecified analysis of all 8 double …