N.Y. Man Links Irregular Heartbeat, Other Ills To Celebrex Cox-2 Painkiller

MINEOLA, N.Y. - A New York man filed a seven-count complaint against Pfizer Inc. and its affiliates on Oct. 8, claiming that his use of Celebrex pain medication (celecoxib) has caused his irregular heartbeat and other cardiovascular injuries. Roesler v. Pfizer Inc., et al., No. Unavailable (N.Y. Supr., Nassau Cty.).

In a lawsuit naming Pfizer, Monsanto Co., Pharmacia Corp. and G.D. Searle & Co., Robert Roesler charges that '[p]atients taking Celebrex have an increased risk of developing high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, clotting, cardiac arrest, stroke, and other cardiovascular injuries.'

Roesler cites a 12-month Celebrex trial called the …