Valdecoxib is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used in the treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and painful menstruation and menstrual symptoms. It is a cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor. Valdecoxib is an orally administered, highly selective cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. In well designed trials, valdecoxib demonstrated efficacy versus placebo in patients with osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), primary dysmenorrhoea and postoperative pain. Initial results in patients with migraine headache were promising. In acute post-surgical pain, valdecoxib provided similar pain relief to oxycodone/paracetamol, had a long duration of action, a rapid onset of analgesia and was opioid-sparing. Valdecoxib provides a valuable alternative in the treatment of chronic arthritis pain and acute pain.
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