Arthritis-Fighting Drugs: The Ulcer Connection

>irritation or complications. Of course if they follow the
If you read these chronicles, you know that I havecourse of Vioxx, they will not be on the market much
constantly warned about the dangers of using NSAID'slonger either. The point is, these drugs were touted for
to tackle arthritis pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatorytheir ability to control inflammation from arthritis with
drugs can cause serious problems and ulcers are oneless stomach complications.
of them. When we talk about NSAID's, we can includeThe Use of NSAID's and the Stomach
products like aspirin, Advil, Aleve, Motrin and manyWhen you are using an NSAID of any kind, it holds
more. The newer group of NSAID's is also implicated. Iback the ability of your body to produce prostaglandins
am talking about Vioxx, Celebrex and Bextra. The riskthat protect both your stomach and inflammation. In
factor for ulcer complications is lower with the lastshort, it inhibits your body's ability to offer this
group of prescription drugs but as most of you know,protection. So, do you have to suffer with arthritis pain
Vioxx was recently pulled from the market becauseor risk the ulcer?
of possible cardiac implications. Of course, the drugYou have Two Options Available
companies and the government are taking a closerIf you feel you must use an NSAID, and I caution
look at the other two drugs in that category.against them, then you should use a product like
Ulcers: No Fun and They can be YoursPrilosec (an over-the-counter antacid); or, Prevacid or
Our stomachs have natural bicarbonate that protectsNexium (prescription). These drugs reduce the
us from ulcers. However, the amount of bicarbonate isproduction of acids and if taken at the same time as
controlled by prostaglandins and in some parts of youran NSAID, reduce the ulcer risk. Frankly, I am a strong
body, they can cause inflammatory responses.advocate of using a pharmaceutical quality liquid
When you listen to television commercials, they talkglucosamine. Most osteoarthritis sufferers get great
about Cox-I and Cox-II inhibitors. I am referring to adsresults and there is absolutely no ulcer risk involved.
for products like Celebrex and Bextra. Now, these twoCertainly, there is no risk of cardiac problems
enzymes are in charge of manufacturingassociated with using liquid glucosamine. The choice
prostaglandins. The one that protect your stomach isseems easy to me. JR Rogers is the owner of
of the Cox-I type. They control the amount ofSynflex America Inc. makers of Syn-flex, a premium
bicarbonate released into your stomach. The Cox-IIglucosamine arthritis formula for humans and
type deals with inflammation through prostaglandinhousehold pets.
production.The author's statements have not been evaluated by
The Bextra and Celebrex Connectionthe FDA and are not provided to diagnose or to
This is what I call "high-end" NSAID's. They aresuggest that liquid glucosamine and chondroitin will treat,
prescription drugs and very expensive. Supposedly,cure, or prevent any disease.
these drugs control inflammation with less stomach