(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- An international, multi-center study shows an effective treatment for osteoarthritis is the COX2 inhibitor lumiracoxib, also known as Prexige. The research finds this particular drug reduces gastric complications that often occur with other treatments.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that affects more than 20 million Americans. It is one of the oldest and most common types of arthritis. It happens when the joint’s cartilage breaks down and the bones rub against each other causing pain and loss of movement.

It is common for doctors to prescribe non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain in patients with osteoarthritis. However, the side effects of these drugs can cause gastrointestinal ulcer complications that can be fatal. A recent study evaluated gastrointestinal and cardiovascular safety of the COX2 inhibitor lumiracoxib compared to the NSAIDs naproxen, commonly known as Aleve, and ibuprofen.

The study included 18,325 osteoarthritis patients who were randomized to receive lumiracoxib, naproxen or ibuprofen for one year. Results show the risk of ulcer complications was reduced among patients on lumiracoxib compared to patients on naproxen. However, this benefit did not apply for patients who were also taking aspirin. Researchers also found lumiracoxib showed a three- to four-fold reduction in ulcer complication compared to naproxen without an increase risk of a cardiovascular problem.

Study authors say the findings from this research show lumiracoxib is an appropriate treatment for patients with osteoarthritis. However, in an accompanying commentary, doctors at the Cleveland Clinic question whether there was truly no increase in the risk of a cardiovascular problem in the study. They point out patients with previous heart conditions were excluded from the trial. They also question lumiracoxib’s liver toxicity.

It’s important to note that the researchers involved in this study have received funding from several pharmaceutical companies, including Novartis, the company that manufactures lumiracoxib.

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SOURCE: The Lancet, 2004;364:665-674 639-640