Valdecoxib exposures reported to Texas poison centers during 2002-2004

Valdecoxib is a drug possessing anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and acts by binding to cyclo-oxygenase-2. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology of valdecoxib exposures reported to Texas poison centers. Human valdecoxib exposures reported to six Texas poison centers were identified and comparisons were made between isolated and nonisolated cases with respect to various demographic and clinical factors. Of 328 human valdecoxib calls, 55% were isolated and 45% were nonisolated. Fifty-eight percent of isolated cases involved female patients while 69% of nonisolated cases involved females. Fifty-three percent of isolated cases involved patients of age less than 6 yr, whereas 71% of nonisolated cases involved patients age 20 yr or greater. Eighty-four percent of isolated cases were unintentional and 67% of nonisolated cases were intentional. The patient was managed outside of health care facilities in 84% of isolated cases and 26% of nonisolated cases. Of those cases with a known medical outcome, 92% of isolated cases had no effect and 35% of nonisolated cases had no effect. Among isolated valdecoxib exposures, no particular clinical effect was reported in more than five cases. Isolated and nonisolated valdecoxib exposures varied with respect to patient gender and age, exposure reason, and clinical outcome. Adverse effects for isolated valdecoxib exposure involved only a small portion of patients that reported to the Texas poison control centers.