Vioxx: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do Vioxx users have a right to be compensated for health problems caused by Vioxx?A: If you believe Vioxx has caused you or a loved one significant harm, such as a stroke or heart attack you may be entitled to a large compensatory award. You must protect those legal rights before they lapse by passage of time and are barred by various states' statutes of limitations. You should contact an attorney to evaluate your rights.
From a legal perspective, there is strong evidence that Merck did not give full disclosure when discussing the risks associated with Vioxx. Merck may have has acted irresponsibly with regard to informing patients of the health risks associated with its drug. Through the help of experienced attorneys, you may be able to acquire financial compensation for your injuries and treatment.
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Q: Was Vioxx Recalled?
A: Yes, the drug maker "voluntarily",: withdrew Vioxx from the market in September 2004 after a major study showed what many other studies did- namely that Vioxx dramatically increases patients risks for Heart Attack and Stroke. You should speak to your doctor about alternatives.
Q: What is Vioxx?A: Vioxx is one of a new class of drugs called COX-2 inhibitors, used to relieve acute pain in adult patients. It treats the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis. It is also used to treat painful menstrual cycles.
Vioxx is one of the fastest-selling new drugs in the world made by Merck & Co. The drug was approved by the FDA for the treatment of acute pain and osteoarthritis the most common form of arthritis, caused by normal wear and tear of joints and afflicting 21 million Americans. Analysts predict sales of Vioxx, which were worth $472 million last year, to swell to $2 billion or more by 2002.Merck Sees Wider Market The No. 1 U.S. drugmaker has said it plans to soon ask the FDA to widen the approved use of Vioxx to rheumatoid arthritis, the crippling hereditary form of arthritis afflicting 2.1 million Americans, in which the body's own immune system attacks joints.
Q: Are there Risks Associated Vioxx Use?
A: New research indicates that Vioxx may carry an increased risk of heart attack. When compared to patients who took traditional pain killers, patients taking Vioxx were as many as 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 is related to all COX-2 inhibitors.You should not take Vioxx if you have experienced asthma, hives, or allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). A few examples of other NSAIDs are ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, nabumetone, and ketoprofen.
Special Warnings with Vioxx:
Serious problems from stomach ulcers, such as bleeding, are well-known complications in people treated with NSAIDs. Similar problems have occurred in people treated with Vioxx, although very rarely. The likelihood of stomach problems increases the longer you take drugs like Vioxx. However, even short-term treatment is not without risk. These problems can happen without any warning, but in some people may cause symptoms such as gnawing or burning stomach pain, black or tarry stools, or vomiting. If this happens, stop taking Vioxx and call your health care provider right away.
Check with your health care provider. Vioxx may not be right for you, if you:
have had ulcers or stomach bleeding, have had asthma, hives, or allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs, have severe kidney problems, have severe liver problems, are pregnant.
Q: What general Precautions should I take with Vioxx:
A: Do not stop taking any medications that you have been prescribed without first talking to your doctor.
Serious problems such as liver damage have occurred in people treated with NSAIDs. Some of the warning signs of liver damage can be nausea, vomiting, fatigue, loss of appetite, itching, yellow coloring of skin or eyes, "flu-like" symptoms and dark urine. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your health care provider right away.
Vioxx can cause your body to retain fluid and swell. Your health care provider will decide if Vioxx is right for you, if you:
retain fluids, have high blood pressure, have heart failure
If you have asthma, you may have aspirin-sensitive asthma. If an aspirin-sensitive asthmatic takes aspirin it can cause severe narrowing of the airway (bronchospasm), and even death. Since this type of reaction to aspirin and other NSAIDs have occurred in aspirin-sensitive patients, Vioxx should not be given to aspirin-sensitive patients. The safety and effectiveness of Vioxx in patients below the age of 18 years has not been determined.
Q: What should I tell my doctor or health care provider?
A: Tell your health care provider if you are trying to become pregnant, are already pregnant, or are breast-feeding. Because certain other medications can interact with Vioxx, review all medications that you are taking with your health care provider, including those that you take without a prescription.
Your health care provider may have to adjust your dose or monitor you more closely if you take:
certain blood pressure medications called ACE-inhibitors, furosemide, lithium, methotrexate, rifampin, warfarin, aspirin
Avoid taking Vioxx with antacids that contain calcium carbonate and magnesium/aluminum combination products, because they may reduce the amount of Vioxx your body absorbs.
Q: What are some possible side effects of Vioxx?
A: Minor side effects can include: Upper respiratory tract infection, diarrhea, nausea, heartburn, swelling of the lower legs or fee and high blood pressure. Additionally, Rare reports of serious ulcers occurring in patients taking Vioxx.
As indicated above, new research indicates that Vioxx may carry an increased risk of heart attack. When compared to patients who took traditional pain killers, patients taking Vioxx were as many as four times as likely to suffer from a heart attack. Another study found that the drug may cause kidney failure.
Q: What is Ceoxx?A: Ceoxx is the name for Vioxx marketed outside the United States.
More on Ceoxx >>
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