Vioxx

Vioxx

Excerpt from an FDA letter to Merck about Vioxx in 2001:

   "Additionally, your claim in the press release that Vioxx has a favorable cardiovascular safety profile", is  simply incomprehensible, given the rate of MI [myocardial infarcation or heart attack] and serious cardiovascular events compared to naproxen ."

Source:  FDA warning to Raymond Gilmartin of Merck, September 17, 2001

Celebrex® (Celecoxib) and Vioxx® (Rofecoxib) are popular and heavily advertised arthritis drugs commonly referred to as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).  Based on an analysis of data from previous clinical trials, physicians/researchers from the Cleveland Clinic identified an increase in the risk of what the study refers to as "serious thrombotic cardiovascular adverse events," including heart attack, stroke and sudden and unexplained death.  The product of the study's analysis was published in the August issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.  The Cleveland Clinic physicians that conducted the study state that they have tried unsuccessfully to have the manufacturers of these drugs look into these concerns further.  Meanwhile consumers remain at risk of heart attack and stroke.

Vioxx® and Celebrex® are classified as COX-2 inhibitors. COX-2 inhibitors, like older NSAID drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen, work to decease swelling in effected joints.  However, unlike older NSAIDS that also caused irritation to the lining of the stomach by inhibiting the COX-1 enzyme, it is theorized that COX-2 inhibitors only block the COX-2 enzyme, leaving the stomach protecting COX-1 alone.  Recently published data calls the beneficial advantages of these drugs into question as well, and raises new questions of "serious cardiovascular events" related to this class of drugs.

The arthritis drug Vioxx® is one of a new class of drugs called COX-2 inhibitors, touted to reduce gastrointestinal problems.  New research, however, indicates that Vioxx® may carry an increased risk of heart attack.  When compared to patients who took naproxen (Aleve), patients taking Vioxx® were four times as likely to suffer from a heart attack.  Researchers are not sure whether this side effect is specific to Vioxx®, or whether it will translate to all COX-2 inhibitors.

Our firm is currently accepting cases involving serious injury and death related to Vioxx.

Please also see:

Merck's Pain Sharpens

Merck Repeats: We didn't know of Vioxx threat

FDA Releases Memo on Vioxx

When did Merck Know?