VIOXX Recall
Rofecoxib, or commercially known as Vioxx, is a pain reliever drug developed and produced by the pharmaceutical giant Merck and Co. On September 30, 2004 officials from Merck voluntarily recalled Vioxx from the market due to increased rates of blood clots, also called thrombosis, heart attack side effects and strokes among patients who used Vioxx. Other pain relieving drugs in the same drug class, such as celecoxib (commercially sold as Celebrex) and valdecoxib (commercially sold as Bextra) may also induce myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular side effects. In addition to cardiovascular side effects, COX-2 drugs, particularly Bextra, has been tied to incidences of a serious skin disorder known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS). SJS causes a serious rash in all mucus membranes of the body, including the eyes and mouth. If SJS causes corneal scarring, then PRK laser eye surgery treatment can sometimes be effective. If serious mouth problems are caused by SJS, then it is best to find a dentist.
Vioxx was approved by the US FDA in 1999 for the treatment for osteoarthritis and severe back or joint pain in adults. Studies indicate that Vioxx eliminates or reduces the intestinal irritation, stomach ulcers and other gastrointestinal side effects normally associated with the "Aspirin type" of drugs. Although it is not uncommon for long-term Vioxx users to suffer from these types of side effects, they occur at a lower rate than with other types of pain relievers.
Vioxx has been prescribed and sold worldwide. Physicians would distribute Vioxx samples and then write prescriptions for long-term use. Since many patients taking Vioxx had chronic illnesses, such as arthritis, the Vioxx was taken by patients over extended time periods. At the time of the recall; it is estimated that as many as 2 million persons were taking the drug worldwide.
Vioxx Is a COX-2 Inhibitor Drug
COX-2 inhibitor drugs, were thought to represent a breakthrough in technology for pain relief. Many commonly used pain killing drugs, such as Aspirin and ibuprofen (Motrin), cause stomach and intestinal irritation. Considerable research has been accomplished to discover pain killing drugs that do not have these intestinal side effects. Vioxx is a member of a class of drugs known as COX-2 inhibitors. These drugs are designed to alleviate the pain and swelling associated with inflammation, while reducing the stomach and intestinal side effects associated with Aspirin types of pain relievers.
COX-2 inhibitors inhibit the production of certain chemicals in the body known as the COX-2 enzymes. The focus of drug companies' research related to the COX-2 enzymes has been primarily on the role they play in processes of pain, inflammation and swelling. But in addition to involvement in pain and inflammation, research data suggests that COX-2 enzymes, along with the other type of COX enzymes, are important for maintaining proper balance in the heart and cardiovascular system. Apparently, in addition to blocking the COX-2 effects related to pain and inflammation, Vioxx also blocks the beneficial balancing effects that the COX-2 enzymes have on the heart, arteries and veins. The cardiovascular effects of Vioxx are most likely related to the Vioxx disrupting the beneficial aspect of the COX-2 enzymes.
MediaFact is a major Internet resource about drug side effects connected with Primary Pulmonary Hypertension and Stevens Johnson Syndrome.