Osteoarthritis drug Prexige withdrawn from Canadian market

Health authorities in Canada have withdrawn the osteoarthritis drug Prexige from the market amid concerns the drug increases the risk for serious liver-related damage including hepatitis.

Health Canada says the anti-inflammatory drug has been associated with four cases internationally, including two cases in Canada, of hepatitis associated with the 100 mg dose.

Prexige is made by the Swiss drug company Novartis Pharmaceuticals.

Prexige is another of the Cox-2 selective inhibitor drugs and is known generically as lumiracoxib; it is used to treat osteoarthritis in adults.

The drug was taken off the market in Australia in August 2007 following incidents of serious liver damage linked to the 200 mg and 400 mg daily doses.

The drug has been available in Canada since November 2006.

Health Canada says even at a 100 mg daily dose Prexige cannot be safely and effectively managed.

Patients taking Prexige are advised to contact their doctor in order to discuss alternative treatment options and return remaining doses of the drug to their pharmacy for disposal.

Vioxx, another Cox-2 inhibitor drug, was also recalled in September 2004, because it was linked to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.