Vioxx, arthritis and acute pain medicine, was pulled from the market today by Merck after a study confirmed that it increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes.
“We are taking this action because we believe it best serves the interests of patients,” Merck Chairman and CEO Raymond V. Gilmartin said in a press release.
The company said its decision to withdraw Vioxx from the market is based on new, three-year data from a colon cancer trial.
“In this study, there was an increased relative risk for confirmed cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke, beginning after 18 months of treatment in the patients taking VIOXX compared to those taking placebo,” Merck said in a press release.
VIOXX was launched in the United States in 1999 and has been marketed in more than 80 countries. In some countries, the product is marketed under the trademark CEOXX. Worldwide sales of VIOXX in 2003 were $2.5 billion.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration following Merck’s decision issued a Public Health Advisory to inform patients of this action and to advise them to consult with a physician about alternative medications.
“Although the risk that an individual patient would have a heart attack or stroke related to Vioxx is very small, the study that was halted suggests that, overall, patients taking the drug chronically face twice the risk of a heart attack compared to patients receiving a placebo,” Acting FDA Commissioner Dr. Lester M. Crawford said in a statement.
(via Merck)
{ 3 comments }
I am taken Vioxx more than one years and my pain is still on going. Why “VIoxx” recalled by Merck.
I have take Vioxx for two years. I did take ibprohen prior to Vioxx, but had to take it in large doses, suffered rebound headaches and GI problem. Vioxx has been very effective, but with the new info I will more than likely be looking for an alternative.
I have taken Vioxx now for a little over a year after a recent shoulder injury. Doctors, Physical Therapist, and Trainers have been giving me this drug constantly for pain. As an anti-inflamatory medicine (in my case) it killed the pain to get me through rehab and daily routines. Now, needing surgery again after 9 months of rehab, I am very upset that my problems were not seen sooner. Vioxx, like any anti-inflamatory medicine, should only be taken for a few weeks. Now this medicine that was suppose to be harmless could cause major problems. More test should have been done before Vioxx went on the market and I am very upset.
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