Celebrex Approved For Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today approved Celebrex (celecoxib) for the relief of the signs and symptoms of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) in patients two years of age and older. JRA is an autoimmune disease that affects approximately 30,000 to 60,000 children in the United States alone.
The disease causes joint swelling, pain, decreased range of motion and abnormalities of growth and development. In some instances, systemic complications may occur including uveitis, a chronic inflammation of the eye. In severe, uncontrolled cases, permanent disability may occur due to progressive joint damage!
A 24-week study of Celebrex involving 242 patients between the ages of two and 17 years demonstrated its effectiveness in treating JRA. The most commonly reported side effects were cough, cold, upper respiratory tract infection, abdominal pain, headache, fever, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.