A Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine study suggested those on the drug had double the heart attack risk.
Like Vioxx, withdrawn from sale last year, Celebrex is a Cox-2 inhibitor, which have fewer side-effects on the digestive system than other common painkillers such as ibuprofen.
In 2004 at least 600,000 patients were prescribed Celebrex - which is the brand name for celecoxib - in the UK.
But doctors are now advised not to give it patients with a heart condition or stroke.
Vioxx was voluntarily withdrawn from world markets by drug firm Merck after research linked it to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Professor Richard Beasley, from the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand in Wellington, carried out this latest research in an attempt to discover if patients on Celebrex faced any similar risks.
After pooling together and analysing data from six trials involving almost 13,000 patients, he concluded that patients on the drug faced double the heart attack risk.
He said: "Drug regulatory authorities need urgently to re-examine the assessment of the drug in light of these findings."
Risks
Four of the studies comparing Celebrex with a "dummy" placebo found patients taking the drug were 2.26 times more likely to suffer a heart attack as those who were not.
When Celebrex was compared with other painkillers like ibuprofen and paracetamol, all six of the studies found the heart attack risk was raised 1.88-fold.
Professor Beasley said his findings were critical because the risk was similar in magnitude the 2.24-fold risk of heart attack linked to Vioxx.
A spokesman for Arthritis Care said: "All drugs carry risks and benefits.
"People who experience severe pain as a result of their arthritis will need to balance the possible risk from particular drugs against the benefits taking them could bring.
"We would urge anyone worried about this latest study to consult their GP."
An Arthritis Research Campaign spokeswoman added: "Many GPs and hospital consultants stopped prescribing Celebrex after the withdrawal of Vioxx in September 2004.
"This latest evidence may now prompt drug regulators to re-consider and think about taking the drug off the market.
"It means that there is less choice for people with arthritis, but patient safety is paramount."
Professor Peter Weissberg, medical director of the British Heart Foundation, said: "There has always been a question over the safety of these drugs. Their reputation is already tainted and GPs are all aware of the risks.
He added: "Which is worse - the pain of the condition or the increased risk of heart problems?
Courtesy of BBCNews
Bonnie and Steve - This review study cannot come as a surprise. Where there is smoke, there is fire. How can two drugs from the same family not cause similar risks? The new study aside, we should continue to take notice that there are natural substances that can mitigate pain (as we discussed last week in our comments on the GAIT trial), such as fish oil, Kaprex, and glucosamine/chondroitin. Most importantly, one must understand the relationship with food and pain. For years, we have instilled this in our clients and hopefully with the risks of medications and risky surgical procedures, the word will get out that much more. The proof is in the pudding...certain foods trigger pain!
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