DRUG STUDY
Name of Drug Classification
Generic Name: Pharmacologic Class:
Valdecoxib Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drug (NSAID), COX-2 inhibitor
Trade/Brand Name:
Bextra Therapeutic Class:
Anti-inflammatory, analgesic,
antirheumatic
Pregnancy Risk:
Category C (first & second
trimesters), Category D (third
trimester)
Sources:
Drugbank Online. (2020,
November 3). Valdecoxib.
https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/
DB00580
Jones & bartlett learning 2018
nurse’s drug handbook (7th ed.).
(2018). Jones & Bartlett
Learning.
U.S. Food & Drug
Administation. (n.d.). Bextra®
valdecoxib tablets.
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/
drugsatfda_docs/label/2004/213
41lbl.pdf
Vallerand, A.H. & Sanoski, C.A.
(2019). Davis’s drug guide for
nurses (16th ed.). F.A. Davis
Company.
Mechanism of Action
This drug selectively inhibits the
enzymatic activity of
cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), the
enzyme needed to convert
arachidonic acid to prostaglandin.
Prostaglandins are responsible for
mediating the inflammatory
response and causing local
vasodilation, swelling, and pain.
Prostaglandins also play a role in
peripheral pain transmission to the
spinal cord. By inhibiting COX-2
activity and prostaglandin
production, this reduces
inflammatory symptoms and
relieves pain.
Sources:
Drugbank Online. (2020,
November 3). Valdecoxib.
https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB
00580
Jones & bartlett learning 2018
nurse’s drug handbook (7th ed.).
(2018). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
U.S. Food & Drug Administation.
(n.d.). Bextra® valdecoxib tablets.
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/dr
ugsatfda_docs/label/2004/21341lb
l.pdf
Vallerand, A.H. & Sanoski, C.A.
(2019). Davis’s drug guide for
nurses (16th ed.). F.A. Davis
Company.
Indication Contraindication Side Effects
 For relief of signs and 1. Hypersensitivity to drug or CNS
symptoms of osteoarthritis other NSAIDs 1. Headache
and adult rheumatoid arthritis 2. Dizziness
2. Cross-sensitivity may exist 3. Insomnia
 For treatment of primary with other NSAIDs, including
dysmenorrhea aspirin CV
1. Heart failure
3. History of allergic-type
2. Myocardial infarction
Sources: reactions to sulfonamides
3. Stroke
Drugbank Online. (2020, 4. Thrombosis
4. History of asthma, urticaria,
November 3). Valdecoxib. 5. Edema
or allergic-type reactions to
https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/ 6. Hypertension
aspirin or other NSAIDs,
DB00580
including the aspirin triad
(asthma, nasal polyps, and GI
Jones & bartlett learning 2018 1. Nausea
severe jypersensitivity
nurse’s drug handbook (7th ed.). 2. GI bleeding
reactions to aspirin)
(2018). Jones & Bartlett 3. Abdominal pain
Learning. 5. Active GI bleeding 4. Diarrhea
5. Dyspepsia
U.S. Food & Drug 6. Inflammatory bowel disease 6. Flatulence
Administation. (n.d.). Bextra®
valdecoxib tablets. 7. Severe congestive heart Skin
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/ failure 1. Exfoliative dermatitis
drugsatfda_docs/label/2004/213 2. Stevens-Johnson
41lbl.pdf 8. Severe hepatic dysfunction
syndrome
9. Perioperative use in coronary 3. Toxic epidermal
Vallerand, A.H. & Sanoski, necrolysis
artery bypass graft surgery
C.A. (2019). Davis’s drug guide 4. Rash
for nurses (16th ed.). F.A. Davis 10. Pregnant women in third
Company. trimester (may cause premature ENDO
closure of the ductus 1. Hyperkalemia
arteriosus)
Other
11. Breastfeeding women 1. Allergic reactions
including anaphylaxis
Precautions
Use with extreme caution in
patients with: Sources:
Drugbank Online. (2020,

1. History of GI bleeding or
ulcer disease
2. Hypertension
3. Advanced age (elderly
patients)
4. Long-term valdecoxib
therapy
Sources:
Drugbank Online. (2020,
November 3). Valdecoxib.
https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/
DB00580
Jones & bartlett learning 2018
nurse’s drug handbook (7th
ed.). (2018). Jones & Bartlett
Learning.
November 3). Valdecoxib.
https://go.drugbank.com/dr
ugs/DB00580
Jones & bartlett learning
2018 nurse’s drug
handbook (7th ed.). (2018).
Jones & Bartlett Learning.
U.S. Food & Drug
Administation. (n.d.).
Bextra® valdecoxib tablets.
https://www.accessdata.fda.
gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/
2004/21341lbl.pdf
Vallerand, A.H. & Sanoski,
C.A. (2019). Davis’s drug
guide for nurses (16th ed.).
F.A. Davis Company.

U.S. Food & Drug

Administation. (n.d.). Bextra®
valdecoxib tablets.
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov
/drugsatfda_docs/label/2004/21
341lbl.pdf

Vallerand, A.H. & Sanoski,

C.A. (2019). Davis’s drug
guide for nurses (16th ed.). F.A.
Davis Company.