Vioxx | Arthritis And Acute Pain

(Please take a look at a recent Fosamax, Zyprexa and Vioxx commercial on YouTube, presented by Angel Reyes.)

Vioxx® (rofecoxib) is a popular prescription-only drug prescribed to treat arthritis and acute pain. The drug was recalled from the market on September 30, 2004 due to increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular events in patients. It is estimated that 2 million people worldwide were taking the drug at the time of its withdrawal.

Vioxx is a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), and is in a class of drugs referred to as a Cox-2 Inhibitors. The increased risk to patients on Vioxx received widespread coverage during a medical study of 2,600 patients intended to prove whether the drug could decrease the risk of recurrence of colon polyps. Originally intended to last three years, the study was halted after 18 months, when it became clear that the cardiovascular risk to the patients was too great to continue.

Prior to the recall of Vioxx there had been previous studies which indicated an increase in risk of heart attack and stroke in patients. In 2001 the FDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, sent Merck a letter warning that their Vioxx package labeling understated the risk of heart problems and forced Merck to relabel the drug in April 2002.

If you or someone you care about has taken Vioxx and experienced a heart attack, stroke or any other serious cardiovascular abnormalities, please fill out our Case Review Contact Form to the right on this page to find out what your case is worth.