Drug manufacturers are in no mood to celebrate this holiday season, as one after another popular painkillers have been cited as being potentially dangerous. Similarly affected are arthritis sufferers and other with chronic pain who are faced with some tough choices now that many popular pain relievers are being reexamined.

Vioxx has already been pulled from the market after having been linked to 40,000 deaths. Then, on December 17, Celebrex became the next target after a study found that this drug might increase the risk of stroke and heart attack. If this wasn’t bad enough, a December 20 study indicates that naproxen, commonly sold as Aleve, also carries a high risk for heart problems.

The controversy surrounding all of this is a double-edged sword. People who are plagued with chronic pain have found great relief by using some of these drugs, and in some cases, are willing to take the risk in order to alleviate their discomfort. The danger now is that, in order to prevent problems from developing in the future, the FDA may begin to err on the side of caution, finding reasons not to approve drugs currently under consideration. This could seriously affect those drugs that are potentially life saving or preventative in nature.

Already, one consumer watch group, Public Citizen, has listed nearly 200 drugs that they feel should be removed from pharmacy shelves. But, if their recommendations are implemented, what will people use instead?

Celebrex has been a boost to many people who have found their lives returned to normal, overcoming incredible pain from arthritis. The alternative would most likely be ibuprofen or naproxen, but patients then face additional risks. Further, these drugs can cause stomach problems. Patients feel that they should be able to consider the risks and then make informed choices about which drugs are best for their specific situation.

All of this will certainly affect the future of drug research and development. Drugs that are now in trials may be delayed as a result, and this can have injurious effects for patients waiting for treatment. For example, a new cancer drug, Margibo, was rejected for early approval by the FDA this month. Each day that such life saving drugs are kept off the market, means that more people who may have benefited from that drug will die.

While there is no question that the FDA needs a bit of revamping, this type of induced drug panic can be exaggerated, causing more harm in the long run that the drugs themselves. Before rejecting the idea of any medication, all the risks must be weighed, including the risk of not taking the drug. Anyone in this situation should consult with his or her physician before discontinuing any medication.