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Q. What is Vioxx?
Q. When was Vioxx approved?
Q. How many people have used Vioxx?
Q. Why was Vioxx withdrawn?
Q. What led to Vioxx's withdrawal?
Q. How many people may have been adversely
affected by Vioxx?
Q. What did the FDA know about the risk
of heart attack and stroke when it approved Vioxx?
Q. What should I do if I am taking Vioxx?
Q. I didn't have a heart attack or a stroke
while using Vioxx, but I did suffer abnormal side effects.
Should I still contact an attorney?
Q. Are there alternatives to Vioxx?
Q. Should I contact an attorney if I have
experienced health problems caused by Vioxx?
Q. I took Vioxx as prescribed by my doctor.
Where can I get legal information about my rights?
A. Vioxx, also known as Rofecoxib, is a nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) manufactured by Merck
& Co. NSAIDs are a large group of drugs that include
aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. Vioxx works by reducing
substances that cause inflammation, pain, and fever
in the body; it is used to treat arthritis, acute pain
in adults, and painful menstrual cycles.
A. Vioxx was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) in May 1999.
A. It is estimated that as many as 80 million people
have used Vioxx. At least 2 million people were using
the medication at the time of its withdrawal.
A. On September 30, 2004, Merck & Co., Inc. announced
a voluntary withdrawal of Vioxx from the U.S. and worldwide
markets due to safety concerns over an increased risk
of cardiovascular events (including heart attack and
stroke) in patients on Vioxx.
A. In August 2004, a FDA-funded study found that Vioxx
increases the risk of heart attack and cardiac death
more than does Celebrex, another NSAID. The study, which
was released at an epidemiologists conference, found
that both high and low levels of the medication increase
the risk for cardiovascular events. According to the
study, patients taking the highest doses increase their
risk of heart attack more than three-fold.
A. According to the Food and Drug Administration, Vioxx
may have caused 27,000 heart attacks and strokes.
A. The FDA originally approved Vioxx in May 1999. The
original safety data included approximately 5,000 patients
taking Vioxx and did not show an increased risk of heart
attack or stroke. A later study, called VIGOR, was primarily
designed to look at side effects such as stomach ulcers
and bleeding and was submitted to the FDA in June 2000.
The study showed that patients taking Vioxx had fewer
stomach ulcers and bleeding than patients taking the
over-the-counter drug naproxen. However, the study also
showed a greater number of heart attacks in patients
taking Vioxx. The VIGOR study was discussed at a February
2001 Arthritis Advisory Committee, and the new safety
information from this study was added to the labeling
for Vioxx in April 2002. Merck then began to conduct
longer-term trials to obtain more data on the risk for
heart attack and stroke with long-term use of Vioxx.
A. The risk that an individual patient will suffer a
heart attack or stroke related to Vioxx is very small.
Any decision about which drug product to take to treat
your symptoms should be made in consultation with your
doctor, based on an assessment of your specific treatment
needs.
A. Yes. Just because you didn't suffer a heart attack
or stroke while using Vioxx does not mean you do not
have a potential claim. Vioxx has been linked to other
side effects. See your doctor if you have further medical
concerns regarding Vioxx.
A. Alternatives to Vioxx are available in the United
States. One of the more popular medications is Celebrex,
but recent information from medical studies has called
its safety into question as well.
A. An attorney knowledgeable about Vioxx litigation
can advise you of your rights.
A. Feel free to call the law firm of Golomb & Honik
toll-free at 1-800-355-3300 to speak with either Richard
Golomb or Ruben Honik. The firm represents individuals
injured as the result of taking Vioxx. Golomb &
Honik will evaluate your case at no cost to you and
without obligation. To schedule an appointment or learn
more about your rights in Vioxx cases, call toll-free
1-800-355-3300 and ask for either Richard Golomb or
Ruben Honik.
Please fill out the form on the left, and we will
be in touch shortly to discuss your case.
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