Medication Side Effects .info Disclaimer

Vioxx

Vioxx, aka, Rofecoxib, or Ceoxx is a part of the COX-2 selective, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aka, NSAID. Vioxx is used to treat mild to moderate pain due to: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and migraine headaches.

If you or a loved one have taken Vioxx and experienced severe Vioxx side effects such as heart attack, stroke, deep leg thrombosis - DVT, or blood clots you should speak to a Vioxx lawyer about a Vioxx lawsuit as soon as possible. The statute of limitations is different in each state so contacting a Vioxx attorney as quickly as possible regarding a Vioxx lawsuit may prevent you from not being able to file a Vioxx lawsuit due to Vioxx side effects. There are many good mass tort lawyers that are taking taking Vioxx class action lawsuits and there are others that are taking individual Vioxx lawsuits. Depending on the severity of the Vioxx side effects you experienced you may or may not want to be part of a Vioxx class action lawsuit. If your Vioxx side effects were serious in nature it may be best to seek out an Vioxx lawyer that will take an individual case for a Vioxx lawsuit.

Vioxx was approved for use by the FDA in 1999 and shortly there after was hailed as a wonder drug and it quickly gained popularity among it's users because it did not cause stomach discomfort or bleeding which is a common side effects of older anti-inflammatory drugs. Vioxx became so popular in part due to an aggressive television marketing campaign and Merck's legion of sales associates pushing the drug on patients and doctors alike. Before Vioxx was recalled worldwide sales of Vioxx totaled $2.55 billion last year. Since the introduction of the drug in 1999, 91 million Vioxx prescriptions have been written in the Unites States alone. Vioxx is sold in some countries under the name Ceoxx.

On September 30, 2004 Merck voluntarily initiated a Vioxx recall from the market after the data safety monitoring board overseeing a long-term study of the drug recommended that the study be halted because of Vioxx side effects showed an increased risk of serious cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes, among study patients taking Vioxx compared to patients receiving placebo. The study was being done in patients at risk of developing recurrent colon polyps.

It is my belief that Merck was aware of the Vioxx side effects long before the study or even before it gained FDA approval in 1999. I also believe that Merck only issued the recall because hundreds if not thousands of Vioxx lawsuits were being filled by attorneys all around the country.

On October 6, 2004 MSNBC reported that 27,,000 Vioxx heart attack related deaths had occurred since Vioxx was approved by the FDA. With numbers like that it is impossible for Merck and the FDA to not have known about the serious Vioxx side effects for a number of years if not before it was approved by the FDA.

Each time I research a drug and it's side effects I end up doing some of my research on lawyers web sites. When I find a lawyer that has a lot of information pertaining to the drug I am researching I put a link on my page to that web site. If you or someone you know have been injured by Vioxx side effects you may be interested in visiting one of the following web sites:

Vioxx Lawyer

Vioxx Lawsuits

Below is the patient information that Merck provided as of August of 2004.

Vioxx
Patient Information about
VIOXX (rofecoxib tablets and oral suspension)
VIOXX (pronounced "VI-ox")
for Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Pain and Migraine Attacks
Generic name: rofecoxib ("ro-fa-COX-ib")
You should read this information before you or your child start taking VIOXX*. Also, read the leaflet each
time you refill a prescription, in case any information has changed. This leaflet provides only a summary of
certain information about VIOXX. The doctor or pharmacist can give you an additional leaflet that is written
for health professionals that contains more complete information. This leaflet does not take the place of
talking with your doctor about your condition or treatment. If you have questions about VIOXX ask your
doctor or pharmacist.
What is VIOXX?
VIOXX is a prescription medicine called a COX-2 selective, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
(See section “What is VIOXX used for?”)
Who should not take VIOXX?
Do not take VIOXX if you or your child:
• have had an allergic reaction such as asthma attacks (wheezing), hives, or swelling of the throat and
face to aspirin or other medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). There are
many NSAID medicines. Ask the doctor or pharmacist for a list of medicines that contain NSAIDs if
you are not sure.
• are allergic to rofecoxib, the active ingredient of VIOXX, or to any other ingredients in VIOXX. See the
end of this leaflet for a complete list of ingredients in VIOXX.
What are the possible side effects of VIOXX?
Serious but rare and potentially life-threatening side effects that have been reported in patients taking
VIOXX include:
• Serious stomach problems, such as stomach and intestinal bleeding, can happen with or without
warning symptoms. These problems, if serious, could lead to hospitalization or death. Although this
does not happen often, you should watch for the signs and symptoms (for instance, stomach burning,
vomiting blood, or if there is blood in the bowel movement or it is black and sticky like tar). Call your
doctor right away if you or your child have any of these serious side effects.
• Serious allergic reactions include the symptoms and signs of swelling of the face, lips, tongue; trouble
breathing such as chest tightness or shortness of breath; trouble swallowing; hives; wheezing; or
shock (loss of blood pressure and consciousness). Get emergency help right away if you get any of
these symptoms or signs. Serious skin reactions have also been reported.
• Heart attacks and other serious cardiovascular events, such as blood clots in your body have been
reported in patients taking VIOXX.
• Serious kidney problems can happen, including acute (sudden) kidney failure and worsening of
chronic kidney failure.
*Registered trademark of MERCK & CO., Inc.
COPYRIGHT © MERCK & CO., Inc., 1998, 2002
All rights reserved
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• Severe liver problems, including hepatitis, jaundice and liver failure, can occur. Call your doctor if you
or your child gets any of these symptoms of liver problems. These include: nausea; itching; pain in the
right upper abdomen; yellow skin or eyes; or flu-like symptoms.
Your doctor may do blood tests and check you or your child for problems that may happen during
treatment with VIOXX.
More common, but less serious side effects reported with VIOXX have included the following:
• Respiratory infections
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Nausea, vomiting and upset stomach
• Heartburn
• Stomach pain
• Swelling of the legs and/or feet
• High blood pressure
• Back pain
• Tiredness
• Urinary tract infection.
In addition, the following side effects have been reported: anxiety, blurred vision, colitis, confusion,
constipation, decreased levels of sodium in the blood, depression, fluid in the lungs, hair loss,
hallucinations, increased levels of potassium in the blood, insomnia, low blood cell counts, menstrual
disorder, palpitations, pancreatitis, ringing in the ears, severe increase in blood pressure, skin reactions
caused by sunlight, tingling sensation, unusual headache with stiff neck (aseptic meningitis), vertigo,
worsening of epilepsy.
These are not all the side effects reported with VIOXX. Do not use this leaflet alone for information about
side effects. Your doctor or pharmacist can talk to you about other side effects. Any time you or your child
have a medical problem you think may be related to VIOXX, talk to your doctor.
What is VIOXX used for?
VIOXX is used in adults for:
• relief of the pain and inflammation (swelling and soreness) of osteoarthritis (arthritis from wear and
tear on your bones and your joints)
• relief of the pain and inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis in adults (arthritis caused by a condition
where your immune system attacks your joints)
• management of short-term pain
• treatment of menstrual pain (pain during women’s monthly periods)
• treatment of migraine headache attacks with or without aura.
VIOXX is used in children and adolescents, of at least 2 years of age and who weigh at least 10 kg
(22 lbs.) to help relieve:
• the signs and symptoms of pauciarticular or polyarticular Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA). VIOXX
has not been studied in children with systemic type JRA.
VIOXX has not been studied in children less than 2 years old or with body weight less than 10 kg (22 lbs.).
What should I tell my doctor before and during treatment with VIOXX?
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Tell your doctor about all your or your child’s medical conditions including if you or your child have or have
had:
• an allergic reaction to aspirin or other NSAIDs
• asthma (a small number of patients with asthma have reactions to aspirin or other NSAIDs)
• stomach problems such as ulcers or bleeding
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• angina (for instance, chest, arm, or jaw pain), a heart attack, or a blocked artery in the heart
• heart failure
• high blood pressure
Tell your doctor if you or your child are:
• pregnant or plan to become pregnant. VIOXX may harm your unborn baby if you take it in late
pregnancy. If you take VIOXX while you are pregnant, ask your doctor how you can be on the VIOXX
Pregnancy Registry.
• breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. It is not known if VIOXX passes into your milk and if it can harm
your baby. You should discuss with your doctor whether or not to take VIOXX if you are breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor about:
• any other medical problems or allergies you or your child have now or have had.
• all the medicines you or your child take including prescription and non-prescription medicines,
vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Tell your doctor right away if you or your child develop:
• serious stomach problems such as ulcer or bleeding symptoms (for instance, stomach burning,
vomiting blood, or if there is blood in your bowel movement or it is black and sticky like tar).
• unexplained weight gain or swelling of the legs, feet, and/or hands.
• skin rash or allergic reactions. If you or your child have a severe allergic reaction, get medical help
right away.
Can VIOXX be taken with other medicines?
Tell your doctor about all of the other medicines you or your child are taking or plan to take while you or
your child are on VIOXX, even other medicines that you can get without a prescription, including vitamins
and herbal supplements. VIOXX and certain other medicines can affect each other causing serious side
effects. Keep a list of the medicines you or your child take. Show the list to your doctors and pharmacists
each time you get a new medicine. They will tell you if it is safe to take VIOXX with other medicines.
Especially tell your doctor if you or your child are taking:
• or have taken warfarin (Coumadin®) or any other similar blood thinner within the past 10 days
• theophylline (a medicine used to treat asthma)
• rifampin (an antibiotic)
• ACE inhibitors (medicines used for high blood pressure and heart failure)
• lithium (a medicine used to treat a certain type of depression).
VIOXX cannot take the place of aspirin for prevention of heart attack or stroke. If you or your child take
both aspirin and VIOXX, there may be a higher chance of serious stomach problems than if VIOXX is
taken alone. If you or your child are taking aspirin for prevention of heart attack or stroke, you or your child
should not stop taking aspirin without talking to your doctor.
How should VIOXX be taken?
• Take VIOXX exactly as prescribed by the doctor. The dose will depend on the condition being treated
and other medical problems you or your child may have. Do not change the dose of VIOXX or take
extra doses unless the doctor has told you to.
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• VIOXX may be taken with or without food.
• If you or your child miss a dose of VIOXX by a few hours, take it as soon as you remember. If it is
close to the next dose, do NOT take the missed dose.
• If you or your child take too much VIOXX, call the doctor, pharmacist, or poison control center right
away.
How should I store VIOXX?
• Store VIOXX at room temperature, 59° to 86°F (15° to 30°C).
• Safely throw away VIOXX that is out of date or no longer needed.
• Keep VIOXX and all medicines out of the reach of children.
What else should I know about VIOXX?
This leaflet provides a summary of certain information about VIOXX. If you have any questions or
concerns about VIOXX talk to your health professional. Your doctor or pharmacist can give you an
additional leaflet that is written for health professionals. This leaflet is also available at www.vioxx.com.
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for conditions other than those described in patient information
leaflets. Do not use VIOXX for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give VIOXX to other
people even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them.
What are the ingredients in VIOXX?
Active Ingredient: rofecoxib
Inactive Ingredients:
Oral suspension: citric acid (monohydrate), sodium citrate (dihydrate), sorbitol solution, strawberry flavor,
xanthan gum, sodium methylparaben, sodium propylparaben.
Tablets: croscarmellose sodium, hydroxypropyl cellulose, lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline
cellulose, and yellow ferric oxide.
Rx Only
Issued August 2004
MERCK & CO., Inc.
Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889, USA