Lumiracoxib A COX-2 inhibitor for the treatment of arthritis and acute pain

Lumiracoxib (Prexige, Novartis) appears to be the next COX-2 specific inhibitor that will be marketed in the United States. Currently, lumiracoxib is being studied for the treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and acute pain. Lumiracoxib has been shown in vitro to be more selective for the COX-2 isoenzyme compared to rofecoxib and celecoxib, but clinical head-to-head studies between these agents are lacking. Small controlled trials, presented in abstract form, have shown lumiracoxib to have comparable efficacy to diclofenac and celecoxib in osteoarthritis. It has an adverse effect profile similar to other COX-2 inhibitors and superior to traditional NSAIDs concerning gastrointestinal safety, but cardiovascular and renal safety data are still not available. While existing clinical data on lumiracoxib are minimal and only published in abstract form, research is ongoing, including comparing lumiracoxib to ibuprofen and naproxen in the largest arthritis trial undertaken to date. When the results of this study are published, lumiracoxib?s efficacy and safety profile will be better understood. (Formulary 2003;38:528?536.)