Vioxx was recently recalled from the market due to unnecessary health risks placed upon its users. Because of the short and shaky history of Vioxx, current and former Vioxx users have been recommended to speak with Vioxx attorneys about possible Vioxx claims.

Vioxx was created by Merck and 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 $2.55 billion. Since Vioxx was launched in 1999, 91 million prescriptions for the drug have been written in the United States alone. Worldwide sales are unknown. In the past few years, Vioxx sales have been flat amid safety concerns worried about the increased incidence of blood clots tied to strokes and heart attacks found in clinical studies. Nothing was done until the latest clinical study administered by Merck proved the increased chance of heart attack or stroke from using Vioxx, and only then did the company recall Vioxx worldwide, on September 30th, 2004.

FDA approved Vioxx (also known as Rofecoxib) in 1999 for the reduction of pain and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis, as well as for acute pain in adults and for the treatment of menstrual pain. It was the second of a new kind of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) approved by FDA. Subsequently, FDA approved Vioxx to treat the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in adults and children. When it was approved, it was hoped that they would have a lower risk of gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeding than other NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen and naproxen). Vioxx is the only NSAID demonstrated to have a lower rate of these side effects.

If you are currently using Vioxx, or have used Vioxx in the past, be sure to get the Vioxx information you need in order to know the risks Vioxx placed upon your health. Call 877-VIOXX-SUIT to speak with an experienced Vioxx attorney free of charge who can help you sort through your Vioxx questions decide if you have a Vioxx claim.