Contact A Lawyer
Near You

Contact us today for a complimentary consultation with a qualified attorney near you.

Vioxx and Heart Failure

Vioxx was pulled from the shelves after clinical trial evidence showed an increased risk of Vioxx and heart failure. Vioxx is a COX-2 selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) originally approved by the FDA in 1999 to treat a number of chronic pain conditions. Information about Vioxx and heart failure side effects prompted Merck to voluntarily pull their top selling pain killer off the market in September 2004. Between the time that this drug was approved and then recalled, thousands of patients suffered serious injury as a result of Vioxx and heart failure.

Reports of Vioxx and heart failure risks were first identified in a 2002 clinical trial known as VIGOR. This nine-month clinical trial was designed to compare the gastrointestinal toxicity associated with naproxen and Vioxx. In addition to finding significant Vioxx gastrointestinal risks, researchers also found a strong correlation between Vioxx and heart failure. Merck reported that VIGOR trial evidence showed naproxen users suffered significantly fewer cardiovascular complications during the study compared to Vioxx users. Merck falsely posited that naproxen actually prevented these events, rather than revealing the true association between Vioxx and heart failure.

A second clinical trial was conducted to measure the effectiveness of Vioxx in the prevention of polyps. The APPROVe trial was designed as a three year trial, but was stopped short after about a year and a half due to serious Vioxx heart failure risks. Patients who had taken Vioxx for longer than eighteen months were twice as likely to suffer a serious thrombotic cardiovascular event, as compared to the study's control group. As a result of the findings regarding Vioxx and heart failure, Merck determined that the risks of Vioxx use far outweighed its intended benefits and pulled their product off the market.

In 2005 the FDA reported that between 89,000 and 140,000 people have died as a result of Vioxx and heart failure. Experts estimate that Vioxx and heart failure complications have claimed the lives of 150,000 to 200,000 people worldwide. In addition to these fatal cases of Vioxx and heart failure, thousands of other people have suffered serious cardiovascular injury or stroke as a result of Vioxx use.

Since the Vioxx recall, more than three hundred Vioxx lawsuits have been filed on behalf of persons who suffered serious side effects after taking this powerful painkiller. People who have suffered as a result of Vioxx and heart failure may be eligible to seek compensation for their medical expenses, loss of income, and psychological suffering through a Vioxx lawsuit.

Persons who are interested in filing a personal injury lawsuit involving Vioxx and heart disease should keep in mind that most states have a statute of limitations which restricts the time during which a Vioxx lawsuit can be filed. If you are concerned about Vioxx and heart failure, please contact us to confer with a qualified and experienced legal professional who can help determine your legal rights and options in a case.

Contact a Vioxx Recall Lawyer

More Vioxx Resources

MedLine Plus Drug Information - Guide to prescription and over-the-counter medications provided by the United States Pharmacopeia.

Vioxx.com - Official Vioxx Roxecofib site from Merck.

Vioxx Drug Warnings - Vioxx side effects information including lawsuit information and vioxx warnings.