Abstract : Valdecoxib (Bextra tablets of 10 mg and 20 mg) is a new non steroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) that selectively inhibits COX-2 isoform of cyclo-oxygenase. It is indicated for the symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis (10 to 20 mg once a day) and for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea (40 mg once a day). Valdecoxib is as efficacious as conventional non-COX-2 selective NSAIDs, but offers the advantage of a much better gastrointestinal tolerance. Valdecoxib has a prodrug that can be administered intravenously or intramuscularly (parecoxib, Dynastat) and has been developed for the short-term treatment of postsurgical pain