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Vioxx Lawyer says: There are Many Valid Vioxx Concerns
Posted by Joe Regan
The FDA approved Vioxx in 1999. It was intended to reduce the pain and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis as well as menstrual pains. Afterwards, the FDA approved Vioxx for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The drug, which is a once-daily pill, was considered more effective than traditional pain killers and to cause fewer gastrointestinal side effects.
The FDA approved Vioxx in 1999. It was intended to reduce the pain and
inflammation caused by osteoarthritis as well as menstrual pains. Afterwards,
the FDA approved Vioxx for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The drug,
which is a once-daily pill, was considered more effective than traditional pain
killers and to cause fewer gastrointestinal side effects.
What is Vioxx?
Vioxx is a COX-2 selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Vioxx is also related to the nonselective NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen and naproxen. Vioxx is a prescription medicine used to relieve signs and symptoms of arthritis, acute pain in adults, and painful menstrual cycles.
Minor side effects with the use of Vioxx include upset stomach, dizziness,
heartburn, vomiting and constipation. In March, 2002 an FDA report linked Vioxx
to five cases of a nonbacterial type of meningitis. In May 2002, a report
published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research stated that it may also
impede bone repair due to the arthritis drug inhibiting cox-2 (which assists
bone-forming cells in the healing process.)
The makers of Vioxx launched a three year study to confirm the relative
gastrointestinal benefits of Vioxx when compared to another pain medicine,
naproxen. The study did show that patients who took Vioxx had fewer ulcers and
other stomach ailments, but the shock of the study proved to be the greater
tendency to experience serious cardiovascular events when taking Vioxx.
In September 2004, Merck & Co., Inc., announced a voluntary withdrawal of Vioxx
from the market due to safety concerns of an increased risk of cardiovascular
problems such as heart attack, stroke, and blood clot. The study found that both
high and low levels of the medication increase the risk, but patients taking the
highest doses increase their risk of heart attack more than three-fold.
In Vioxx and naproxen test groups with more than 4,000 patients in each, Vioxx
users suffered 101 “serious cardiovascular events� and 20 myocardial
infarctions. That compared to 46 naproxen users who had cardiovascular events
and only four who suffered heart attacks.
If you have concerns about the safety of Vioxx, or if you have experienced
serious side effects associated with the drug, consult your doctor. It may also
be important to contact an attorney who can help protect your legal rights.
Please keep in mind that there may be time limits within which you must commence
suit.
If you would like to locate a Vioxx Attorney,
visit Personal Injury Lawyer page on www.hugesettlements.com
You are welcome to reproduce this article: Vioxx: Valid Concerns as
long as a live link to HugeSettlements.com is provided. We
can help you find a professional Vioxx Attorney. Visit us today for a
Vioxx Lawyer
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer today.
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