Vioxx Lawyers & Class Action Lawsuit Information

NEWS: 11/09/2007:

TRENTON, N.J. - Merck & Co. issued a statement Friday it will pay $4.85 billion to end thousands of state and federal lawsuits over its painkiller Vioxx in one of the largest drug settlements ever.

Merck has estimated that the deal, if it's accepted, would end 45,000 to 50,000 personal injury lawsuits of U.S. Vioxx users who suffered or were injured via heart attack or ischemic stroke.

To qualify for a settlement, plaintiffs must have filed claims by Thursday (11/8/2007) and must meet several criteria, including medical proof that they suffered a heart attack or stroke, that they received at least 30 Vioxx pills.

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The prescription COX-2 Inhibitor Vioxx was recalled from the market in 2004, but this action came too late for the millions of people who suffered drastic health problems due to this drug. A recent $253.4 million wrongful death settlement to the widow of a 59 year-old man who died due to alleged Vioxx-related complications has paved the way for other victims to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable and to make their voice heard.

When the giant drug manufacturer Merck first introduced the pain reliever Vioxx into the pharmaceutical market in 1999, it was hailed as a revolution in managing the chronic pain of rheumatoid and osteoarthritis without causing the debilitating pain that many similar drugs were known to cause.

The power of Vioxx was apparent when compared to aspirin, ibuprofen, and other traditional anti-inflammatory treatments, which doctors call Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). Ever since the ancient Greeks discovered that willow bark helped to relieve headaches, forms of NSAIDs have been to relieve pain, swelling, and inflammation without the sedation or addiction that opiate pain relievers cause.

How Vioxx, COX-2 and NSAIDS affect the body :

NSAIDs work by blocking a chemical called cyclooxygenase. This enzyme is present in a number of places through out the body, including in inflamed tissue, the stomach lining, and the kidneys. Unfortunately, taking an NSAID to reduce inflammation blocked all the cyclooxygenase in the body, often with extremely detrimental results. COX-1, one type of the enzyme, allows the stomach to produce a lining to protect itself from its own acid, and taking an NSAID disrupts this production, causing stomach bleeding, ulcers, and severe gastrointestinal discomfort.

Vioxx selectively blocked the second form of cyclooxygenase, called COX-2, which was responsible for the pain and agony of inflamed tissues. People with chronic arthritis often had to take daily regimens of high dose NSAIDS to function, but often paid a high price for the heavy usage. Because Vioxx only blocked COX-2 and not COX-1, these people discovered that they could treat their pain without suffering terrible stomach and intestinal pain.

Vioxx linked to Heart Attacks

Vioxx quickly became one of the most widely prescribed drugs in the world - accumulating profits of almost $3 billion for Merck - and its place in the pantheon of wonder drugs was virtually secured. However, well after its release, reports began to surface of elevated cardiovascular problems in people who regularly took Vioxx. Doctors began to speculate that because cyclooxygenase helped the kidneys regulate blood pressure, long-term use of drugs that affect the COX enzyme could potentially cause cardiovascular problems.

The Food and Drug Administration began to investigate these allegations and found that there was a tie between COX-2 Inhibitors and elevated incidents of heart and stroke. The FDA ordered Merck to recall Vioxx in 2004 in order to prevent more harm to the public.

Vioxx had already done significant damage. Over two million people worldwide who counted on Vioxx every day were forced to live in fear of potentially fatal cardiovascular events. If you are one of these people who trusted in your medication, you need to contact a Vioxx lawyer immediately. Take a stand against irresponsible pharmaceutical companies who put their profits ahead of your safety. Hurry though, for statutes of limitations restrict the amount of time you have to take action. Your future is your hands.

Vioxx FDA Recall

Due to mounting pressure from the United States Food and Drug Administration, Merck Pharmaceuticals withdrew its popular COX-2 Inhibitor Vioxx from American and European markets on September 30 th, 2004. Evidence gathered from a number of clinical studies suggested that Vioxx was likely responsible for an increase in cardiovascular incidents such as stroke and heart attacks.

The time lapse between the studies were published and when Merck finally recalled their dangerous product remains a subject of controversy. One of the first tests, the so-called VIGOR (Vioxx Gastrointestinal Outcomes Research) Study published only a year after the debut of Vioxx in 1999 indicated that Vioxx caused a fourfold increase in heart attacks compared to a similar medication without the COX-2 selective inhibitor.

Merck finally recalls Vioxx

Upon realizing their drug may have serious side effects, Merck launched their own study in 2001 called APPROVe (Adenomatous Polyp Prevention On Vioxx). Over the next three years, doctors at Merck discovered that the use of Vioxx caused nearly twice the incidents of heart attacks and stokes as did a placebo. Only after their dangerous drug had failed two tests and after being on the market for four years did Merck finally recall Vioxx in 2004.

The millions of people who used Vioxx understandably felt angry and violated. As of August 2005, there are over 4,200 Vioxx-related lawsuits pending against Merck. More people just like you are considering taking action as well, but do not know how to begin. If you are one of these people, there is a dedicated and compassionate lawyer ready to help you begin your quest for justice. Contact one today.

Vioxx Drug Timeline and Events:

Like any other drug, Vioxx spent years in research, development, and marketing before it was released to the public at large. These steps were implemented to help ensure that only safe and effective drugs reach market, but sometimes internal problems can interfere with the safety process. It is speculated that Merck Pharmaceuticals knew of the potential danger of Vioxx, but instead chose to market the drug as a miracle cure for people suffering from rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.

An interesting series of events led to the current legal atmosphere surrounding Vioxx. Some of the most important events include:

• 1993 – A study of the link between non-selective Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) and a reduction in cardiovascular events is published.
• 1998 – Further study into selective COX-2 inhibitors hypothesized a link between these drugs and an increase in cardiovascular events like stroke or heart attacks. Later that year Merck submitted its findings of clinical tests of Vioxx to the FDA that showed similar rates of cardiovascular events in control groups given other NSAIDs or placebos.
• 1999 – The VIGOR (Vioxx Gastrointestinal Outcomes Research) begins. It aims to study the affects of Vioxx on the digestive tract. Vioxx is approved by the FDA in May. VIGOR discovered “"an increased risk of serious cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes, in patients taking Vioxx compared to patients taking naproxen"
• 2000 – VIGOR study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Experts begin to think Vioxx is unsafe.
• 2001 – The Food and Drug Administration recommends Merck Vioxx packaging with specific warnings about possible dangers, and warns the company to stop misleading doctors about the cardiovascular side effects of Vioxx.
• 2002 – The FDA changes the label on Vioxx thanks to the findings of the VIGOR study.
• 2003 – After four years on the market Vioxx accumulates $2.5 billion in sales in 80 countries around the world.
• 2004 – Due to mounting pressure from doctors and the FDA, Merck withdraws Vioxx on September 30 th. This triggers a chain reaction of increased study into other COX-2 Inhibitors Bextra and Celebrex.
• 2005 – A federal study recommends Vioxx return to market with explicit warnings about cardiovascular risks. More tests show an increase in concerns.
• Today – A Texas court awards the widow of a Vioxx victim $253.4 million judgment that Merck is currently appealing.

Don’t wait to take action against irresponsible pharmaceutical companies who ignore the risks of their products in order to profit from your misery. Act quickly. You may be entitled to a similar settlement, but if you let the statute of limitations expire your case may end before it has a chance to begin. Contact a Vioxx lawyer today.

Vioxx in the News

In 1999 the Food and Drug Administration approved Vioxx and the drug entered the market later that year. Two years later, the FDA recommended label warnings explaining the cardiovascular side effects of the drug to be placed on Vioxx containers. In 2002, labeling changes took place and in 2003 total sales of Vioxx reached 2.5 billion dollars with the drug being sold in 80 countries around the world.

On September 30, 2004 Vioxx was withdrawn from the market due to cardiovascular risks and other side effects. This decision was voluntary by Merck, the manufacturer of Vioxx.

On August 19, 2005 a Texas state court jury voted against Merck in the first Vioxx case to go to trial. Merck was ordered to pay $253.4 million in punitive and economic damages to a widow whose husband suffered a heart attack and died in 2001 after being prescribed Vioxx several months earlier. The man who perished was only 59 years old and ran marathons in his spare time. Merck attorneys have stated they would appeal the court’s decision.

Over four thousand cases have been filed against Merck, including one in New Jersey slated for September 2005. The first federal trial is scheduled for November 2005 in New Orleans. However, not all Vioxx lawsuits are wrongful death suits. Many address heart attacks, strokes and other complications believed to be caused by Vioxx.

USA Vioxx News: Class Action Lawsuits & Awards

Vioxx has increasingly been in the headlines of news sources across the country due to the immense nature of the cases being brought against Merck, the manufacturer of the drug. Vioxx was first approved by the FDA in 1999, and Merck released the drug into the market that same year. Merck spent $500 million to advertise Vioxx directly to patients between 2000 and 2004, the year that Vioxx was pulled from the market due to health risks associated with the drug.

On August 19, 2005 a Texas jury awarded over $253 million to a widow whose husband suffered a fatal heart attack as a result of taking Vioxx for several months. Merck has stated that they will appeal this decision, but the results of this first Vioxx trial have inspired thousands of others across the world to file suit against Merck for damages related to Vioxx. The second Vioxx trial in the United States is expected to be held in New Jersey in September 2005. The first federal trial is slated for November 2005 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Analysts predict that many more lawsuits will follow these, particularly if juries continue to find in favor of plaintiffs.

In addition to the legal attention Vioxx has received, the Food and Drug Administration has also been placed under scrutiny. Many people are upset that the FDA approved Vioxx to begin with, and are even more angered that additional steps were not taken to protect the safety of American patients. The coming months will surely see interesting Vioxx-related news developments in the United States and abroad.

Foreign Vioxx News

Merck sold Vioxx in 80 countries across the world, and the recent developments in Texas may encourage foreign victims to seek compensation for damaged resulting from Vioxx use. The BBC reported on August 22, 2005 that hundreds in the United Kingdom are hoping to take legal action against Merck. Almost 500,000 Britons have used Vioxx.

Vioxx was used by over 20 million people worldwide, and Merck’s recent trial has brought heightened attention to the pharmaceutical industry. Beginning in October 2005, European drug companies will have more stringent regulations monitoring potential side-effects at the time the drug is licensed. Following Merck’s decision to pull Vioxx in 2004, the safety of several European drugs similar to Vioxx was examined in detail.

It has been estimated that Vioxx could be responsible for nearly 28,000 heart attacks or deaths since 1999. With the results of Merck’s August 19 trial in Texas, thousands of other plaintiffs in the United States and across the globe are preparing to bring their cases to court. Lawyers in Italy, France, Britain, New Zealand, and Australia are preparing for what could become the biggest medical product liability action in history.

What is Vioxx (Rofecoxib)?

Vioxx is the brand name for a chemical called Rofecoxib, a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) developed over a period of years by the Merck pharmaceutical company that was intended to combat the agonizing pain of arthritis and other inflammation-related conditions.

Rofecoxib is a COX-2 Inhibitor, which means that it works by selectively blocking part of a chemical called cyclooxygenase that causes pain when tissue becomes inflamed and irritated. Another form of cyclooxygenase is found in the stomach and helps produce the lining that protects against the acid of the digestive tract. Other NSAIDs inhibited all forms of this chemical, so taking them caused a doubly negative affect on the stomach; the already acidic NSAIDs aggravated the weakened gastrointestinal system and caused severe stomach bleeding and potentially fatal ulcers.

Vioxx and Heart Attacks:

Vioxx was supposed to provide all the benefits of NSAIDS without reducing the protective layer in the stomach and intestines. While Vioxx was relatively affective at this task, it was later discovered that the same chemicals it blocked were similar to the same chemicals the kidneys need to regulate circulatory pressure after filtering impurities out of the blood. This deficiency led many people to develop serious cardiovascular problems such as heart attacks and strokes.

Overview of Vioxx

Vioxx is the brand name for a chemical called Rofecoxib, a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) developed over a period of years by the Merck pharmaceutical company that was intended to combat the agonizing pain of arthritis and other inflammation-related conditions.

Rofecoxib is a COX-2 Inhibitor, which means that it works by selectively blocking part of a chemical called cyclooxygenase that causes pain when tissue becomes inflamed and irritated. Another form of cyclooxygenase is found in the stomach and helps produce the lining that protects against the acid of the digestive tract. Other NSAIDs inhibited all forms of this chemical, so taking them caused a doubly negative affect on the stomach; the already acidic NSAIDs aggravated the weakened gastrointestinal system and caused severe stomach bleeding and potentially fatal ulcers.

If you or someone you love was one of the unfortunate people who took rofecoxib only to suffer a cardiovascular event, you have rights. An understanding, compassionate, and dedicated attorney is ready to help you begin your case against an unfeeling, greedy, and irresponsible corporation who put their profits ahead of your safety. No one can help you if you do not help yourself. Contact a Vioxx attorney today.

History of Merck Pharmaceuticals Vioxx

A pharmaceutical company must spend years and millions of dollars in order to develop an effective, safe, and profitable drug. Vioxx is no exception. Merck Pharmaceuticals realized that the pain reliving capacity of Rofecoxib, the chemical name for Vioxx, could corner the market in the expanding arthritis treatment and mean billions of dollars in profits and fame.

Aspirin and other Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs were used to treat painful inflammation, but often caused painful gastrointestinal discomfort. In 1993 Merck began to research the potential of new drugs that delivered pain relief without stomach problems. These drugs were called COX-2 Inhibitors, named after the chemical it blocks in inflamed tissues.

An early warning sign of the dangers of COX-2 Inhibitors came in 1998 when a study linked these types of drugs and an increase in heart attacks and strokes. COX-2s seemed to share similar pain reliving characteristics with other NSAIDs, so Merck pushed ahead with Vioxx and received FDA approval in 1999.

There was a potential speed bump on Vioxx’ path to success, for when in 1999 the VIGOR (Vioxx Gastrointestinal Outcomes Research) study researched the purported lack of gastrointestinal affects of Vioxx on the digestive tract it discovered “an increased risk of serious cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes, in patients taking Vioxx compared to patients taking naproxen." Nevertheless, Vioxx is released to much public fanfare.

Once the VIGOR study is published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2000, medical experts from around the country begin to recognize that Vioxx presents some very serious complications. Further research into other studies suggests that Merck downplays the correlation of Vioxx use and cardiovascular incidents to doctors that prescribe Vioxx, so in 2001 the Food and Drug Administration takes action. The agency recommends Merck change Vioxx packaging to include specific warnings about possible dangers, and orders the company to stop misleading physicians about the cardiovascular side effects of Vioxx.

The FDA finally changes the label on Vioxx packaging in 2002 due in no small part to the findings of the Vigor study and Merck’s reluctance to take responsibility. Despite apparent serious problems by 2003 Vioxx accumulates $2.5 billion in sales in 80 countries around the world after only four years of sales.

Ultimately, popularity and sales lose out to medical evidence. Mounting pressure from doctors and the FDA forces Merck to recall Vioxx on September 30 th, 2004. This recall triggers increased study into other COX-2 Inhibitors such as Bextra and Celebrex.

Despite public and medical sentiment to the contrary a federal study recommends that Merck can resume selling Vioxx if it includes explicit warnings about cardiovascular risks on the packaging. Further research into COX-2s show an increase in concerns about all drugs in the class.

A Texas court awarded the widow of a Vioxx victim $253.4 million judgment on August 24 th, 2005. This merely the first of 4,200 other suits pending against Merck, and more are adding their voice to the chorus of people who will not let irresponsible corporations make them into victims any more. Contact a Vioxx attorney today if you want to make your voice heard. Justice is within your reach.