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Rofecoxib, more commonly known as Vioxx, was voluntarily withdrawn from the market by Merck on September 30, 2004. A widely accepted non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), Vioxx was suspected by its producer to be related to several cardiovascular events, most commonly heart attacks and strokes, and other painful ailments.

Over its five year lifetime, Vioxx was prescribed to over 80 million people, and the year before it was removed from the market sales produced revenue of approximately $2.5 billion. It was one of the most lucrative drugs ever taken off the market by its manufacturer. Vioxx’s huge market success was a result of it aiding so many people in reducing or eliminating chronic or acute pain from osteoarthritis, dysmenorrhoea.

There is a lot of skepticism and controversy surrounding the release, studies, and eventual withdraw of Vioxx from the market. After its acceptance by the FDA as a “safe and effective” drug, later studies revealed that it may not actually be safe. The 12 month long Vioxx GI Outcomes Research (VIGOR) study materialized initial concerns about Vioxx and its relationship to cardiovascular problems. This study led to warning labels about Vioxx increasing the risk of heart attacks or strokes.

Any beliefs of openness and honesty that existed about Merck exposing possible risks were quickly halted when in just months after the first VIGOR study was published, more heart attacks caused by the drug were uncovered. The company’s rebuttal to the uncertainty of the accuracy of the study was that these additional heart attacks occurred after the predetermined time of the study had lapsed.

Vioxx was withdrawn from the market by its manufacturers, Merck, in 2004, due to increased safety risks for Vioxx users. Vioxx was an NSAID, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat arthritis, menstrual pain, and chronic pain. Vioxx increased the risks of and caused heart attacks and strokes in many of its users.

Vioxx is no longer available on the market. It was withdrawn in 2004 due to public health and safety concerns. Vioxx was linked to numerous heart attacks and strokes, especially in chronic Vioxx users. Vioxx also caused stomach ulcers and bleeding.

There are currently many lawsuits involving Vioxx underway; and manufacturers of Vioxx, Merck, have offered a $4.8 million settlement. People who were injured by Vioxx should contact a personal injury attorney immediately.

Vioxx was for people who wanted relief from pain associated with chronic illnesses, injures, menstrual cycles, and arthritis.

Vioxx was used to treat certain types of arthritic pain, including pain from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and certain forms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative arthritis because it is caused by the breakdown and loss of cartilage in joints and bones. Older adults and women during menopause are most at risk for developing osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes severe joint pain.

• stomach ulcers
• bleeding
• liver injury
• kidney injury

You should see your doctor regularly if you were injured by Vioxx. You should contact a personal injury attorney immediately if you or a loved one was injured by Vioxx. Signs of the injuries caused by Vioxx include:

• abdominal pain
• nausea
• bloody vomit
• discolored stool
• diarrhea
• unexplained weight gain
• flu-like symptoms
• chest pain
• difficulty breathing
• slurred speech
• confusion
• numbness or loss of coordination on one side of your body