DRUG RECALL: Vioxx® Side Effects - Florida Vioxx® Lawyers

Announcement from our Florida Vioxx® lawyers: Due to dangerous Vioxx® side effects, experienced by consumers here in Florida and across the U.S., Merck voluntarily pulled the Vioxx® (generic name rofecoxib) off the market on September 30, 2004.

After 18 months of a study designed to be three years long, Merck, the company that produces Vioxx®, noticed a significantly higher incidence of heart attack and stroke in Vioxx® users than compared to those study participants who were taking a placebo (sugar pill). Determining that Vioxx® side effects far outweighed the benefits, they recalled the drug. Because of these Vioxx® side effects, your Florida drug store will not be able to refill your prescription. Following the Vioxx® recall, the drug is now unavailable, regardless of your location.

Shortly after Merck took its drug off the market, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning on Vioxx® side effects, indicating that Vioxx® can cause stroke, heart attack, and other cardiovascular problems among users. For those people and their families who have experienced these Vioxx® side effects, our Florida Vioxx® lawyers are here to help.

Following its release in 1999, Vioxx® was prescribed for the relief of pain associated with arthritis, menstrual cramps, and other sources. It was marketed as a safe alternative to other drugs in its class, called COX-2 inhibitors. Other COX-2 inhibitors had been shown to cause increased incidence of internal bleeding and ulcers. Vioxx® users, on the other hand experienced greatly decreased risk of ulcers compared to the users of other COX-2 inhibitors. The FDA approved the drug, believing that this benefit outweighed what Merck claimed were “minimal” risks of cardiovascular problems. Under further scrutiny, the incidence of Vioxx®’s harmful side effects was shown to be greater than Merck had reported, and the company took its drug off the market before the FDA could institute a government recall. Because Merck did not fully study the effects of Vioxx® prior to releasing the drug, our Florida Vioxx® lawyers can try your case if you have been harmed by your use of the drug.

back to top

Dangerous Vioxx® Side Effects

The side effects of Vioxx® have been shown to include:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Sudden Cardiac Death

If you experience any symptoms of the above Vioxx® side effects, including chest pain, irregular heart rhythms, or sudden dizziness or loss of coordination, contact your physician and seek immediate emergency care.

While the following side effects are less common among Vioxx® users than users of other COX-2 inhibitors, stomach and liver problems are still a risk. These Vioxx® side effects include

• Ulcer
• Liver poisoning
• Allergic reaction

In the FDA’s health warning following the withdrawal of Vioxx® from the market, those patients who have taken Vioxx® over the long term have a 50% greater chance of heart attack than those who do not use the drug. If you or a loved one has experienced a heart attack or stroke during your use of Vioxx®, your medication may be to blame. Contact our Vioxx® lawyers in Florida for more information on how you are protected under the law.

Who is at Risk?

While Merck’s study seemed to indicate that Vioxx® exhibited dangerous side effects more frequently after 18 months of use, anyone who has used Vioxx® may be at risk. Those who have used Vioxx® on a daily basis for more than 18 months, however, do have significantly higher risk than occasional users. Regardless, though, if you experience any cardiovascular problems, you should seek help immediately and examine the possibility that those effects were the result of your use of Vioxx®.

Those who have had previous ulcers or stomach or liver problems are also at higher risk for problems associated with COX-2 inhibitors while using Vioxx®. Be sure to inform your doctor if you have any pre-existing conditions, or allergies to any medication.

back to top

What to do if you are a Vioxx® User

If you are a current Vioxx® user, you should contact your physician immediately to determine the best course of action. Dependent on your dosage and your health history, your physician can recommend an alternative drug and advise you about what to do. If you have any remaining Vioxx®, you may return it to Merck and receive a full refund.

If you have used Vioxx® in the past, and your physician has now prescribed Bextra® or Celebrex® for pain relief, you should be aware that those drugs may have side effects that are similar to Vioxx®.

Have You Been Injured by Vioxx®?

If you have suffered cardiovascular problems such as heart attack or stroke that can be attributable to your use of Vioxx®, you may be eligible to win compensation. Because Vioxx® had no warning label and its effects were not fully understood when it was released onto the market in 1999, the makers of Vioxx® may be liable for any injury, illness, or disability that has occurred due to your use of the drug. Our Vioxx® lawyers serve Florida and surrounding areas with legal advice regarding the side effects of this dangerous drug. Contact our Vioxx® lawyers for more information on your Florida Vioxx® case.

back to top

• Home
• About This Website
• Avandia®
• Vioxx®
• Celebrex®
• Bextra®
• Neurontin®
• Crestor®
• Accutane®
• USA Recent News
• Foreign Recent News
• Drug Recall Alert
• FDA Information
• How To Get Help
• Submit Your Case

Our Locations