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The Straight Scoop about VIOXX
When joints, muscles, and tendons hurt, often the cause is inflammation. The classic signs of inflammation are warmth, swelling, and decreased function. The first anti-inflammation drug was Aspirin -- and it worked. Aspirin, however, isn’t very potent. People treating inflammation with Aspirin often took too many pills and, as a result, suffered abdominal pain, stomach ulcers, and ringing of the ears.
Then came newer drugs -- NSAID’s (non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs), like Ibuprofen, Advil, Naprosyn, Aleve, and others. But again, although they worked, many people couldn’t tolerate the side effects, such as gastritis and bleeding stomach ulcers.
Then, in 1999, the great hope arrived with a class of drugs called COX-2 Inhibitors, designed to stop inflammation, while being much kinder to the stomach. But in contrast to Aspirin and maybe Naprosyn, researchers discovered that on of the COX-2 Inhibitors, Vioxx (rofecoxib), taken by 2,000,000 people worldwide, began showing a very bad side effect. More people who took Vioxx regularly for months seemed to have more heart attacks and more strokes than those who did not take Vioxx regularly.
Vioxx was first released for sale in the U.S. with FDA permission in May 1999. Ten months later, a Merck study reported that Vioxx patients had about a 200% greater likelihood of suffering serious cardiovascular problems, including heart attacks and strokes, than did people who took Naprosyn for inflammation. Merck countered, saying that Naprosyn must reduce the rate of heart problems, and Vioxx must not. Nevertheless, these findings were of great concern to the FDA, who then required Merck to warn consumers of Vioxx that that Vioxx may be linked to heart attack and stroke. In addition, the FDA also required Merck to stop misleading advertising and promotions of Vioxx.
Then, in September 2004, an ongoing study of Vioxx was interrupted because persons taking Vioxx regularly for 18 months were proved 200% more likely to suffer heart attack or stroke than those who took a placebo (sugar pills). Vioxx was proved harmful and Merck voluntarily withdrew Vioxx from the market.
What Does this Mean for You?
The risk of Vioxx applies to you if you regularly took prescribed Vioxx most days for more than a year.
If you regularly took Vioxx most days for more than a year, then your chance of suffering serious cardiovascular problems including heart attack or stroke increased. That is unfair to you, because the risks of Vioxx were known or suspected 4 1⁄2 years earlier.
Do I Need a Lawyer?
If the increased risk of serious cardiovascular problems including heart attack or stroke have become a reality for you -- and you have suffered a serious cardiovascular problem such as heart attack or stroke, or or required medical treatment (Aspirin, Beta-Blockers, or Anticoagulants) or a surgical procedure (Bypass, Stent, PTCA) then you likely were damaged by Vioxx and should contact us immediately for a free, confidential evaluation of your case.
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