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Article date: August 2011

Onsenalâ–� withdrawal

Celecoxib is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and cyclo-oxygenase type 2 inhibitor, which is approved for the treatment of symptoms of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Until recently, celecoxib was also authorised as the orphan drug Onsenalâ–� for the reduction of intestinal polyps in familial adenomatous polyposis. At the time of approval of Onsenalâ–�, the licence (marketing authorisation) holder committed to do post-authorisation clinical studies.

However, failure to recruit sufficient numbers into a clinical trial designed to provide evidence relating to clinically important benefit has resulted in the licence holder voluntarily withdrawing Onsenalâ–�.

European review of celecoxib in FAP

The European Medicines Agency has reviewed the available data after concerns that celecoxib may continue to be used unlicensed in the treatment of FAP. The review concluded that the clinical benefit of celecoxib in FAP has not been sufficiently demonstrated and is outweighed by the increased risk of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal side effects from celecoxib use at high dose and long term in patients with FAP.

Call for reporting

Please report suspected adverse reactions through the Yellow Card Scheme at . When reporting please provide as much information as possible, including information about medical history, any concomitant medication, onset, and treatment dates.

Further information

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European Medicines Agency

European Medicines Agency

Article citation: Drug Safety Update vol 5 issue 1, Aug 2011: A2.