Some patients on the popular painkiller Vioxx may be taking up to twice the recommended level, according to a new study published in the June issue of Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety.

Researchers found that doctors often prescribe their patients the highest dose of Vioxx (50 mg) for daily pain relief. However, the 50 mg dose is recommended for acute pain only, for a maximum of 5 days.

“That’s a cause for concern, because no one should be taking 50 milligram doses for more than five days, but we’re finding that many people are taking it for [everyday] problems,” says study researcher Marie R. Griffin, MD, MPH, professor of medicine and preventive medicine.

Vioxx is a prescription drug called COX-2 selective. It is part of a group of anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat arthritis, acute pain in adults, and other painful conditions. Anti-inflammatory drugs are known as NSAIDs.

In clinical trials of chronic use for arthritis, high blood pressure was more frequent in patients taking 50 mg of Vioxx than those taking lower doses or other NSAIDs.

(via WebMD Medical News)