Warning! The use of Vioxx has been linked to an increased rate of heart attacks, strokes, blood clots, and even death. The manufacturer of Vioxx—Merck & Co.—voluntarily withdrew the drug from the marketplace in September 2004, maintaining that Vioxx has been linked to an increase in sudden cardiac death and other serious heart conditions.

Vioxx—also called rofecoxib—is a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug that works by reducing the substances that cause inflammation, pain, and fever in the body. Vioxx is prescribed to reduce inflammation, pain, and stiffness caused by the rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Along with Celebrex and Bextra, Vioxx is in the class of arthritic drugs called COX-2 inhibitors.

The potential side effects of Vioxx were not fully known at the time it received FDA approval in May 1999. Such common side effects as heartburn, vomiting, upset stomach, and other events were initially recognized. Recently, researchers have provided Vioxx information showing that the arthritis drug carried risk of serious cardiac events and that the likelihood of suffering a heart attack was four times larger than if using an older arthritic pain reliever. Additional studies have also shown that Vioxx increases the risk of sudden cardiac death, pulmonary embolism, and stroke.

If you or a loved one has been injured while taking Vioxx, please submit the accompanying form. You may be entitled to monetary awards for your injury!