Why were vioxx and bextra taken out of market but not celebrex (celecoxib)? does celebrex (celecoxib) increase risk of heart attack and stroke for at-risk patients?

Risk/Benefit?: For several years, reports had surfaced about a possible increased risk of a cardiovascular event associated with vioxx. Once these reports were confirmed; the production of vioxx was stopped by the company. Shortly thereafter, studies found that patients taking Celebrex (celecoxib) or Bextra were also at risk. Life-threatening skin reaction with chronic use of Bextra was published at that time.

Political reasons: Vioxx was an amazing anti-inflammatory but merck suppressed data suggest that it tips the balance little bit more likely to have a heart attack if you have heart disease, it does not give you heart disease. Because they suppressed this data, they were coming under immense pressure to do something and they pulled vioxx the market. All other anti-inflammatories can tip the balance the same way.

They all do: Vioxx and Bextra were thought hi risk for cardiac events. Celebrex (celecoxib) less so.