Australia's medical watchdog Thursday warned arthritis patients of the possible side effects of the anti-inflammatory prescription drug Celebrex. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has ordered manufacturer Pfizer to put warnings that Celebrex could increase the risk of heart problems. The TGA's Martin Tattersall said those on high doses of the drug should review treatment with their doctors. "The risk is something which now has changed the balance in favour of reducing the use of this drug by dose and reducing the duration of drug treatment," he told national broadcaster ABC. Professor Tattersall said the drug should only be prescribed when alternative therapies were found to cause serious side-effects. Pfizer said it was considering an appeal against a ruling.
