NEW YORK, Oct 18, 2004 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Drug maker Pfizer Inc. of New York said Monday it will conduct a clinical study to assess the safety of its arthritic painkiller Celebrex.

The decision comes after rival manufacturer Merck & Co. Inc. of Whitehouse Station, N.J., withdrew its drug Vioxx from the market because it was causing heart problems in some patients. Celebrex is the same class of drug as is Celebrex.

Pfizer said, however, it is confident about Celebrex's cardiovascular safety. Nonetheless, the company will begin a two-year study early next year involving more than 4,000 patients who have recently had a heart attack and who also have a history of osteoarthritis.

• More news on Arthritis
• More news on Drug and Medical Device Safety

Related MedlinePlus Pages:

• Arthritis
• Drug and Medical Device Safety