Vioxx (Refecoxib)

Vioxx (Rofecoxib) is a Cox-2 inhibitor that was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1999 for the treatment of arthritis, osteoarthritis, menstrual pain and for the management of acute pain in adults. Serious concerns have been raised in recent months regarding the use of Vioxx, Vioxx side effects on kidney and cardiovascular health, and the increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

Vioxx is an anti-inflammatory drug, which means it reduces internal inflammation. Vioxx, along with Aspirin, is part of the class of drugs known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) - i.e. it is not a steroid. Vioxx is analgesic, (it eliminates pain) and it is antipyretic (it reduces fevers). Its active ingredient is rofecoxib.

Vioxx withdrawn from the market

Vioxx was pulled off the shelves worldwide on September 30th after a clinical study confirmed concerns that it raises the risk of heart attack and stroke, which can lead to serious and permanent injuries and death. More than 2 million people worldwide are using Vioxx.

Complications begin approximately 18 months after patients start taking Vioxx. Previous clinical trials had linked Vioxx to an increase in blood clots and other cardiovascular problems, including heart attack, chest pain related to heart disease, stroke and sudden death. Vioxx users were more than twice as likely to experience heart problems than patients using the control drug.

The results of clinical studies with one drug in a given class do not necessarily apply to other drugs in the same class. All NSAIDs have some risks, such as gastrointestinal (stomach) bleeding, and liver and kidney toxicity, when taken chronically.

Vioxx advisory from FDA
Doctors are being told to take patients off Vioxx. Please talk to your Doctor as soon as possible about switching to another drug. The FDA has issued a public health advisory, and plans to work closely with Merck to coordinate the withdrawal of Vioxx from the US market.