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Vioxx® Injury

It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of people suffered a serious Vioxx® injury prior to the recall of this blockbuster painkiller in September 2004. Vioxx® is a COX-2 selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that was approved by the FDA in 1999 to treat the severe pain associated with arthritis, menstrual cramps, and other chronic pain conditions. Vioxx® was voluntarily pulled off the shelves by Merck and Co. (the makers of Vioxx®) because the risks of serious Vioxx® injury outweighed the potential benefits of taking this prescription drug.

There were a number of Vioxx® injury risks posed to patients who took this drug. Patients with a history of certain medical conditions were at an increased risk of suffering a Vioxx® injury. Vioxx® use was contraindicated in patients who had previously had an unfavorable reaction to aspirin or any other NSAID. The risk of suffering a serious Vioxx® injury were increased in patients concurrently taking anticoagulants or oral corticosteroids, those who smoked or consumed large amounts of alcohol, those taking Vioxx® for a long period of time, those who were older or in poor health, and those with a history of gastrointestinal or cardiovascular problems. Vioxx® injury was also more likely in patients with a history of renal disease or renal failure and those who were pregnant at the time of use.

Some common types of Vioxx® injury had been documented for years prior to the Vioxx® recall. Fluid retention, edema (swelling) and high blood pressure were some of the common Vioxx® injuries that patients suffered. Liver and kidney Vioxx® injury was also a threat to Vioxx® users. Long term use of Vioxx® was associated with renal injury, particularly in individuals with a history of renal dysfunction, heart or liver problems, those taking ACE inhibitors or diuretics, and elderly patients. Anemia and asthma were also possible Vioxx® injury risks for some patient populations.

Arguably the most serious Vioxx® injury that a patient could suffer was a heart attack or stroke. In 2002 the results of the VIGOR clinical trial indicated that Vioxx® users were more likely to suffer cardiovascular Vioxx® injury compared to study participants who had been taking naproxen. Merck claimed that naproxen actually prevented adverse cardiovascular events and that Vioxx® did not increase a patient's cardiovascular risks. This statement was later disproved.

In 2004 a three year clinical trial called APPROVe was abruptly halted after researchers found that patients were at a very high risk of suffering a serious cardiovascular Vioxx® injury. This study found that patients who had taken Vioxx® for more than eighteen months were two times more likely to have a heart attack or stroke, compared to the study's control group. As a result of this high risk of cardiovascular Vioxx® injury, the drug was taken off the market.

If you or a loved one has suffered a Vioxx® injury, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your losses. To learn more about your rights and options in a Vioxx® injury lawsuit, please contact us to confer with a qualified and experienced attorney who can help determine your legal rights and options.

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.