Vioxx Class Action Claims
Vioxx® manufacturers recently pulled the drug from the market, and reported to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that users of Vioxx® had 3 times the risk of heart attacks and strokes as patients taking Naproxen®.
In 1999, the US Food and Drug Administration approved Vioxx, also known as Rofecoxib. This drug is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drug manufactured by Merck & Co. to relieve acute pain in adults, menstrual pain and osteoarthritis.
Vioxx temporarily relieves pain by blocking the body’s production of certain chemicals believed to be associated with the inflammation and pain of injuries and immune reactions. Vioxx has also been found to be effective for people to relieve pain following operations such as dental extractions and orthopedic surgery. This drug has generally relieved pain without the stomach pains or bleeding ulcers sometimes associated with many other NSAIDs such as aspirin.
Sales of Vioxx worldwide have reached the billions each year since its release on the market and, according to IMS Health, was the most heavily marketed prescription drug in 2003. Millions of Americans use Vioxx.
In 2002, the Food and Drug Administration recommended label changes for Vioxx to include the warning that Vioxx was linked with serious upper gastrointestinal and cardiovascular side effects. Studies have shown that use of Vioxx in certain doses can triple the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The increased risk of heart attack or stroke is believed to be greatest for people taking the drug for 18 months or more.
Recently, a long-term study of the drug on patients at risk of developing recurrent colon polyps was being conducted. After the data safety monitoring board overseeing the study reviewed the data from the study, it recommended that the study be halted because of an increased risk of heart attack and strokes. Merck initiated a worldwide recall on September 30, 2004 due to serious health concerns regarding its use.
Possible side effects includes:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pains
- Impaired or confused thinking
- Appetite loss
- Rapid heart beat
- Edema
- Fatigue
People need to know, he said, that when they quit taking Vioxx, they will probably be in pain, but there is no danger in quitting Vioxx. They might need to resort to an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium or another non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). With millions of patients taking this prescription drug, doctors are scrambling to find alternatives.
If you or someone you know has taken Vioxx® and has experienced a serious adverse reaction and you would like for us to provide a free evaluation of your potential claim please call us toll-free at 1(800)779-4950. Or, if you prefer, email us at Info@Ogletreeabbott.com. There is no charge for the evaluation or initial consultation. You may be entitled to a cash award from Vioxx class action claim.
