On September 30, 2004, Vioxx was pulled from the market because it has been linked to
increased risk of heart attack, sroke and other serious health problems.
Vioxx is a brand name used by Merck & Co., Inc. ("Merck")
to market and distribute rofecoxib tablets, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
prescription arthritis drug. Merck obtained FDA approval on Vioxx
in approximately April 1999 via a New Drug Application on a fast-track,
6-month approval process. Merck began distribution and sale of Vioxx
throughout the United States in approximately May 1999. Despite
knowledge in its clinical trials and post-marketing reports associating
Vioxx with hypertension and/or hypertension-related adverse health
effects, Merck marketed and promoted Vioxx as safe and effective
for persons with hypertension, or persons who had risk factors for
stroke or cardiac problems.
On September 30, 2004 Merck has removed Vioxx from the market in
all countries because it has been associated with heart attacks,
stroke, cardiovascular injuries and other side effects. Merck has
removed Vioxx after and and extended study showed that patients
using Vioxx double their risk of having a heart attack, stroke or
other cardiovascular injury. According to Merck, there are currently
approximately 2 million people worldwide taking Vioxx and at least
84 million people have been prescribed Vioxx since it became available
on the market in 1999.
If you or a loved one are currently taking, or have taken, the
prescription drug Vioxx, you may be at risk for serious, even fatal
health problems. Please seek medical attention to find out if your
use of Vioxx has caused physical injury. |
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