Peer Reviewed
Rheumatology clinic
Rofecoxib: the second COX-2 specific inhibitor
Abstract
A new class of anti-inflammatory agents, the COX-2 specific inhibitors, has only recently become available in Australia. In this article, Dr de Jager discusses what is known about rofecoxib, the newest agent in the class.
Key Points
What is rofecoxib?
Rofecoxib (Vioxx) is an anti-inflammatory analgesic that belongs to a new class of agents called coxibs, selective inhibitors of the cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme. Rofecoxib is now available on private script.
The first coxib to become available, celecoxib (Celebrex), has had remarkable acceptance by the public and the medical profession through a combination of good marketing and poor press for the predecessors, conventional NSAIDs. There would be very few GPs who have not already prescribed or used celecoxib.
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