Bextra, Celebrex maker Pfizer again in trouble

Pfizer, the maker of now recalled Bextra (along with its sister drug Celebrex that carries a strong black box warning), which also markets the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra, is being investigated by the FDA for possible linkage of Viagra and blindness.

The FDA approved Viagra on March 27, 1998. Viagra is the first oral pill to treat impotence, a dysfunction that affects millions of men in the United States. The other drug that competes with Viagra is Cialis. Both drugs have been prescribed to millions of Americans and are now available all over the world.

The debate is about NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy), which causes sudden vision loss when blood flow to the optic nerve is blocked. Optic nerve plays a critical role in vision. NAION is considered to be one of the most common causes of sudden vision loss in older Americans. Risk factors include diabetes and heart disease, which also happen to be the leading causes of impotence.

Pfizer is yet to release a statement for the press, but that is not surprising since it generally stands by the safety of its drugs even if scientific research shows contradictory data. For instance, Pfizer continues to claim that Bextra is a safe drug and is working to bring Bextra on the market. It is also fighting hard with the FDA to not put a black box warning on Celebrex.

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