Dangerous Drugs / VIOXX

Vioxx is an anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 1999 for the relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis, for the management of acute pain in adults, and for the treatment of menstrual symptoms. It is also approved for the relief of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in adults and children.

The first signs of issues with Vioxx were first noticed over four years ago. Prior to Vioxx being approved by the FDA, a University of Pennsylvania study raised questions about whether Vioxx raised the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Shortly after Vioxx was approved and put on the market, a study sponsored by Merck and published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2000 clearly showed an increase in heart attacks. In 2001, doctors at the Cleveland Clinic published a study in the Journal of American Medical Association re-analyzing existing data. This study again showed the risk of heart attacks and other serious side effects. Instead of acknowledging Vioxx's side effects Merck said it would conduct another Vioxx study. The study was never done.

By the time Vioxx was removed from the market, millions of people had used the drug worldwide. Its annual sales in 2003 totaled $2.5 million. Since its launch in 1999, 91 million prescriptions for Vioxx were written in the United States alone. Worldwide sales are unknown. In the past few years, Vioxx sales decreased amid safety concerns about the increased incidence of blood clots tied to strokes and heart attacks found in clinical studies. Vioxx growth was in large part due to Merck's aggressive direct to consumer advertising. Vioxx television advertisements featured the famous figure skater Dorothy Hamill.

Vioxx was removed from the market on September 30, 2004 after a Merck study revealed that Vioxx was linked to heart attacks, strokes, blood clots and cardiovascular injuries. The Merck study tried to show Vioxx reduced colorectalpolyps. Instead, it showed again that Vioxx increased the risk of heart attacks, strokes, blood clots and other cardiovascular injuries. If you, a member of your family or a close family friend has had the unfortunate circumstance of being injured by the use of VIOXX, contact us at (888) 435-2465, e-mail us or fill out the consultation form to the right. We have the experience and resources to help you.