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To request full article click here. OBJECTIVE: To summarize responses to cyclooxygenase-II (COX-II) medication use and describe physicians' reasons for switching or discontinuing therapy in the management of osteoarthritis. METHODS: This retrospective medical record review evaluated all patients in a private clinical practice setting with a diagnosis of osteoarthritis who had been prescribed the COX-II inhibitor rofecoxib. RESULTS: Of 144 evaluable patients, 81 had previously experienced treatment failure with celecoxib. Sixty-three patients had received rofecoxib as their first COX-II agent. A total of 101 of 144 patients remained on rofecoxib through the time of follow up. Patients starting celecoxib as their first COX-II agent discontinued therapy significantly earlier than those initiating treatment with rofecoxib (p < 0.001). KaplanMeier estimates of the median time to discontinuation were 17 weeks for celecoxib and 45 weeks for rofecoxib. There was no significant difference in the time to discontinuation in the first 6 months of therapy with a second COX-II agent between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients demonstrating therapeutic failure with 1 COX-II inhibitor may successfully be treated with another COX-II agent. J Pharm Technol 2002;18:305-9. To request full article click here. |
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