How Specific Are “Target-Specific” Drugs? Celecoxib as a Case in Point

Abstract

With the push to develop the next blockbuster drugs, continued surveillance of current bestsellers may not be given the full attention due. Upon wide-spread use, unexpected adverse effects begin to emerge. Although touted as highly specific, many of the newly developed drugs are likely to have secondary molecular targets—a potential cause of adverse effects. A molecular pharmacology approach that screens for multiple drug targets may shed light on the mechanisms that underlie both desired and adverse side-effects.