Bad News, Good News on Vioxx Heart Attack Risk
Long-term study of individuals taking Vioxx (rofecoxib) for arthritis and chronic pain has confirmed some bad news associated with the painkiller but it has revealed some good news, too. Vioxx, a Cox-2 inhibitor class of drug, was pulled from the market in 2004 when it became apparent that taking the drug as directed doubled the risk of heart attack and stroke. The bad news is that the longer-term study confirms this risk of cardiovascular trauma. The good news is the heightened risk of stroke and heart attack diminishes and returns to normal about 18 months after Vioxx is discontinued.
Dr. Robert Bresalier first published research findings in a 2005 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine that indicated an 18-month period of time after beginning Vioxx therapy before the risk of adverse cardiovascular event increased. Further study indicates the risk begins early and continues throughout Vioxx treatment. The link between the drug and cardiovascular disease was discovered during a company-funded study of the chance that Vioxx might prevent development of colon polyps, a warning sign of impending colorectal cancer. Merck & Co., Inc., manufactured and sold Vioxx and has paid as much as $4.85 billion in settlement claims filed by people who suffered strokes or heart attacks while taking the drug and by the families of the people who died from such events.
Although Vioxx isn’t the only Cox-2 inhibitor to hit pharmacy shelves in recent years, Bresalier suggests all drugs in this particular class are likely to increase the risk of heart disease. The Cox-2 inhibitors were developed as a safer alternative to NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which include aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen. Bresalier, on the staff at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, says NSAIDS such as aspirin and naproxen can cause life-threatening bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract and ibuprofen may increase one’s risk of heart disease. According to Bresalier, these drugs shouldn’t be considered bad drugs but increased awareness of the risks associated with them is a wise consideration. Bresalier’s most recent findings have been published in the medical journal, Lancet.
Before removal from the US market, Vioxx sales accounted for about $2.5 billion in annual revenue for Merck. Celebrex (celecoxib), another Cox-2 inhibitor made by Pfizer, has not been pulled from the US market.
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I think saying that Merck has PAID 4.85 billion to people suffering strokes and heart attacks is misleading. My husband was 33 years old and on vioxx for three months and had a heart attack. An angioplasty and stent were used to clear a blockage. The rest of his heart was declared “healthy as a horse” by the doctor who performed the procedure. He continued taking Vioxx for another 3 months at which time another 2 blockages occurred and the stent closed up completely. After triple bypass and discontinuing Vioxx, he has waited patiently for YEARS while this has wound through the court system. We’re told that August 28th Merck began issuing checks to those with valid claims. Our attorney says the checks are coming, but VERY slowly. So yeah, they are paying, but they sure are taking their good old time about it. What’s up with that?
No one according to our law firm has been paid from this wrongful and misleading company. They have missed each deadline and continues to stall with more excuses each day. Brown and Greer is the accounting firm that has all the hidden settlement money. The press is not even concerned about the misrepresentation of the biggest settlement in legal history. Why has the federal court allowed this contempt of court orders to continue? Again only lies and stalling excuses from merck and no payments while suffering victims are allowed to become less than human each day…………..
I live in Texas my husband has had two heart attacks, and has had stents put in. And yes this cat and mouse game they are playing is getting old..There is anothere place you can go read more com. if you go to vioxx uo dates.And people are gettin madder, you I would like for my husband to see justice before he does die on me. today they are doing more stress test on him.his heart has only a fifty % good. well the do need to do something about this but we are just a small voice we need help.We need answers not excuses, patient we have no more. I hope the news papers listen to what is on this website cause truth be known we need help.I pray that everyone tha is with us after taking this med. does well and be to live longer. Yes I am scared that my husband might have another heart attack but I hope not
I have had surgery to replace both mitral valve and tricuspid valve. I had two
myocardial infarctions, stroke,and ended up with short term memory lost with
seizures. I had a tamponode and went into congestive heart failure. My live will
never be the same. The mechanical valves had to be replaced twice and I stayed on heart lung machine 14 hours open up 4 times after original surgery.
Ended up with pacemaker and a 600,000 hospital bill. Stayed in icu red for
25 days went from 165 to 1 08 almost died. All this and more now have seizures on a regular basis nd strokes. Had a nother stroke that paralyzed left arm and
leg. 50 years old at the time. Now 59 turning 60 in two months. All i here is they are working on reviewing them hope to hear something by December. Do you
think i will get an eligibility slip or a turn down. you just never know. Just waiting
and I think it should be handle quicker. AT least letting you know your are eligible
for something but to date nothing. Good luck to all. I just put it in gods hands and
said you handle it because I can’t, I get upset just thinking about it.