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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.