Important News Alert For Consumers

Until it was pulled off the shelves, Vioxx was usually prescribed by doctors to patients with arthritis. Studies conducted over several years, however, revealed that use of Vioxx more than tripled the chances of having a stroke or heart attack, and Merck & Co. withdrew Vioxx from the pharmaceutical market on September 30, 2004.

What Is Vioxx?

Vioxx is one of many prescription medications that had been used for arthritis. It belongs to a category of prescription pain killers known as Cox-2 inhibitors. Bextra and Celebrex are also Cox-2 inhibitors. The Food and Drug Administration approved Vioxx for arthritis pain and other types of pain in 1999 (arthritis is a painful disease afflicting about 40 million people in America). Studies, however, soon showed that Vioxx dramatically increased the chances of a person having a stroke or a heart attack. Severe kidney and liver damage, stomach bleeding, and intestinal bleeding reportedly can also be caused by taking Vioxx.

Vioxx Studies

2000: A study showed that taking Vioxx increased cardiovascular risk. 2001, 2002, 2003: Studies showed that the chances of having a heart attack increased after taking Vioxx.

The 2003 study revealed that within the first 90 days of taking the medication, patients who took Vioxx increased their chances of having a heart attack by 39%. The 2004 study showed that patients who took over 25mg of Vioxx daily were more than 3 times as likely to develop heart problems than those who took a sugar pill (placebo) each day.

There is evidence to suggest that Merck & Company may have neglected to properly inform people of the health risks that can result from taking Vioxx and that the pharmaceutical company did not conduct the proper tests to confirm the prescription drug's safety.

For more information about Vioxx malpractice claims, call Rosenbaum & Associates at 1-800-7-LEGAL-7. You may also request a Free Case Evaluation online. The improper marketing, testing, and sale of prescription drugs by drug companies happens far too frequently, and Rosenbaum & Associates is a medical malpractice law firm that is committed to aggressively pursuing drug litigation.

Vioxx Injuries and Side Effects

Strokes and heart attacks are among the most serious side effects caused by Vioxx. Patients with heart problems or who have a high risk of having heart problems are especially susceptible to the side effects caused by Vioxx.

Other Vioxx side effects:

• Blood clots
• Stomach bleeding
• Liver and kidney problems
• Intestinal bleeding
• Worsening of chronic kidney failure
• Swelling of the lips, face, throat, or tongue
• Liver failure, jaundice, hepatitis, and other liver problems

Studies regarding the side effects caused by Vioxx are ongoing. If you or someone you know have taken Vioxx and are experiencing any of these side effects, it is important that you speak with a doctor right away. You may also wish to speak with one of our medical malpractice attorneys at Rosenbaum & Associates. Our lawyers are experienced at handling Vioxx-related cases and lawsuits. It is important that you work with a medical malpractice lawyer that has the knowledge to help you do what is right for you and your loved ones.

A Vioxx Stroke or Heart Attack Case?
For a Free Case Evaluation, click here. You can also contact Rosenbaum & Associates at 1-800-7-LEGAL-7. If we decide to represent you, we will not be paid any attorney's fees unless we make a recovery for you. Our law offices are located in Philadelphia, and we represent malpractice victims throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.