Abstracts From the Literature:
Study Says Vioxx May Carry Higher RIsk of Myocardial Infarction Than Celebrex

PHILADELPHIA - A recent University of Pennsylvania study of patients who suffered non-fatal myocardial infarction while taking COX-2 inhibitors has revealed that Vioxx users may be nearly three times more likely to suffer a heart attack than those taking Celebrex.

The study, published in the February issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that although there was no overall association between COX-2 inhibitor use and non-fatal myocardial infarction, statistically significant differences between Vioxx and Celebrex were identified relative to those who did not use the drugs.

"This difference was not due to an increased risk for MI among …