FAQs About Vioxx® - Related Stroke and Heart Attack

A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug classified as a Cox-2 inhibitor, Vioxx® was voluntarily recalled on September 30, 2004 by its manufacturer, Merck & CO Inc. The drug was pulled from the market after a three-year study of 1,300 participants linked it to increased risk of stroke and heart attack. Since Vioxx® was prescribed to millions of patients to treat a number of conditions, Vioxx® stroke and heart attack attorneys suspect that thousands of lawsuits involving the drug will arise. If you have taken Vioxx® and would like to know if you are eligible to file a claim, and ultimately, to receive a Vioxx®-related verdict or settlement, contact Vioxx®-related stroke and heart attack attorneys today.

Below is a list of frequently asked questions about Vioxx®, how to file a Vioxx® lawsuit, and the side effects of Vioxx®, such as heart attack and stroke. Please contact an attorney who is well versed in pharmaceutical litigation if you have additional questions or if you would like to file a claim.

What is Vioxx®?

In light of the Vioxx® recall, the FDA has been accused of having a "far too cozy" relationship with drug companies and of being "incapable of protecting America," according to Reuters news wire service.

What was Vioxx® prescribed for?

Vioxx® was designed to relieve pain associated with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and in some cases, menstruation.

What is a COX-2 inhibitor?

COX-2 inhibitors are a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that alleviate pain by blocking COX-2 enzymes. Traditional NSAIDs, namely aspirin and ibuprofen, inhibit both COX-2 and COX-1 enzymes. The COX-1 enzyme coats and protects the stomach lining; blocking it can irritate the stomach. But COX-2 inhibitors do their job without affecting the COX-1 enzyme, thereby reducing the instances of stomach lining problems, such as bleeding and ulcers. Vioxx® is a COX-2 inhibitor.

What are the side effects of Vioxx®?

Side effects of Vioxx® include heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infection, swelling of the lower extremities, high blood pressure, itching, stomach ulcers or bleeding, fatigue, vomiting, dark urine, and black stools. Vioxx® has also been more recently linked to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and blood clots.

Why was Vioxx® recalled?

Vioxx® was recalled after a three-year study of 1,300 Vioxx® users found that the drug greatly increased the risk of heart attack and stroke in users. Vioxx® had previously been linked to instances of stomach bleeding and stomach ulcers.

Did the FDA recall Vioxx®?

No, Merck & Co Inc. voluntarily recalled the drug on September 30, 2004. For more information about the Vioxx® recall, visit our Vioxx® news and clinical trials pages.

Did Merck know that Vioxx® was dangerous?

Merck may have been aware of the risks associated with Vioxx®. Some allege that the company altered its original study findings in the late '90s - omitting information about dangerous side effects - in order to gain faster FDA approval. In 2002, Merck acknowledged that Vioxx® can cause stomach bleeding and ulcers, yet it did not pull the drug or scale back its promotion campaigns. Instead, it included warnings on its labels as mandated by the FDA.

Did the FDA know that Vioxx® was dangerous?

Some reports allege that the FDA was aware, at least on some level, that Vioxx® was dangerous. These reports accuse the governing body of silencing one of its drug experts who voiced concerns over the safety of Vioxx® several weeks before Merck removed the drug. For breaking news about Vioxx®, please visit our Vioxx® Clinical Trials and News page.

How do I know if I have a legitimate claim?

If you have taken Vioxx® and suffered cardiac thrombosis, heart complications, liver damage, kidney damage, a heart attack, or a stroke, an attorney in your area may be able to help you file a pharmaceutical litigation claim.

First, see your physician for a medical evaluation. Then consult a Vioxx® lawyer who has experience in this highly sensitive and complicated area of law (pharmaceutical litigation). To learn more, contact our Vioxx® attorneys.

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