Questions about Vioxx - FAQ

What is Vioxx?
Vioxx is a COX-2 inhibiting Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug produced by Merck Pharmaceuticals.

What is a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug?
These drugs are common low level, non-narcotic pain relievers that reduce pain, fever, and inflammation. Aspirin and ibuprofen are common NSAIDs.

What does Vioxx do?
Vioxx relieves pain and inflammation by blocking the ability of the body to produce a chemical called cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) that occurs in inflamed and irritated tissues.

What makes COX-2 Inhibitors so special?
Older NSAIDs block all forms of cyclooxygenase, which is dangerous because the body uses another form of the enzyme called cyclooxygenase-1 to protect the gastrointestinal tract from harsh stomach acid. If a patient took an original NSAID, it blocked the pain of the inflammation caused by COX-2, but it also disabled COX-1 causing great abdominal pain because stomach acid was literally eating away at the soft digestive tissues.

Why is Vioxx so dangerous?
Vioxx is dangerous because it affects the way kidneys regulate blood pressure after they filter out impurities from the circulatory system. This interruption can lead to an arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat. If this situation persists it can cause the heart to spasm and eventually cause myocardial infarction (heart attack) or a stroke.

How many heart attacks did Vioxx cause?
The Food and Drug Administration suspects that between 1999 and 2004, there were between 88,000 and 139,000 Vioxx-related heart attacks, of which 30-40% were fatal.

Did Merck know that Vioxx was dangerous?
Although there is no concrete evidence, many research studies performed on Vioxx revealed that the drug posed a significant risk of increasing the number of cardiovascular events in some patients.

I took Vioxx and suffered a stroke or a heart attack. What can I do?
You should contact a Vioxx lawyer today. Laws called statutes of limitations restrict the amount of time you have to take legal action, so it is best to start your case without delay.