VIOXX
The
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acknowledged
the voluntary withdrawal of Vioxx (chemical
name rofecoxib), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drug (NSAID) manufactured by Merck & Co.
Merck
is withdrawing Vioxx because of an increased
risk of heart attacks and strokes . Patients
taking the drug chronically face twice
the risk of a heart attack.
In
1999, the FDA approved Vioxx for pain
and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis,
as well as for acute pain in adults and
for the treatment of menstrual pain.
Subsequently, FDA approved Vioxx to treat
the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid
arthritis in adults and children.
*Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration
For
more information contact the law firm
of Nicholas Abaza 
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