FDA OKs Wider Use for Painkiller Celebrex

Pharmacia Corp. won government clearance to market its Celebrex painkiller for uses including treatment of acute pain and menstrual cramps.

The action by the Food and Drug Administration gives Celebrex a wider range of approved uses than Merck & Co.’s rival drug, Vioxx. Both drugs are members of a class of painkillers known as Cox-2 inhibitors, which do not carry the gastrointestinal side effects of older painkillers.

That’s helped both drugs become blockbusters; Celebrex had sales of $2.6 billion last year, and Vioxx’s sales also topped$2 billion in 2000.

Pharmacia shares rose $1.17 to $42.76. Merck shares rose $1.88 to $67.26. Shares of Pfizer Inc., which helps market Celebrex, rose 67 cents to $43. All trade on the New York Stock Exchange.

Pharmacia said the FDA postponed action on its application to sell another drug, Xalcom, which treats glaucoma. The agency said it intends to approve the drug but needs more information. Pharmacia said the FDA’s requests could delay approval of Xalcom by more than two years.