Report: Government Study Uncovers Vioxx Risks
Study Links Vioxx To Thousands Of Heart Attacks
POSTED: 10:12 am EDT October 6,
2004
WASHINGTON -- A government study reportedly has linked Vioxx use to more than 27,000 heart attacks and sudden cardiac deaths.
Vioxx maker Merck pulled the arthritis pain reliever from the market last week after a clinical study suggested a higher risk of heart ailments connected with the drug. The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that a study led by a Food and Drug Administration safety official compared Vioxx to Pfizer's Celebrex. According to the Journal, the analysis found that from Vioxx's approval in 1999 through last year, heart attacks "would have been avoided" had Celebrex been used instead. Those figures don't come from actual counts but are projections based on findings from an analysis of a database of patients of health-maintenance organization Kaiser Permanente. The study is a new headache for Merck, which is facing a flood of lawsuits that will question whether the company should have taken stronger action sooner in response to concerns about Vioxx.Patients who are currently taking Vioxx should contact their health care providers to discuss discontinuing use of the drug and possible alternative treatments. For more information, visit merck.com, vioxx.com, or the Food and Drug Administration's Vioxx page. Patients and health care professionals with questions can also call (888) 36-VIOXX (1-888-368-4699).Patients can get a refund on unused Vioxx by mailing back the remaining drug in the original container, along with a pharmacy receipt, to:
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Fact Sheet: More On Vioxx
Video: Merck Recalls Popular Arthritis DrugVioxx maker Merck pulled the arthritis pain reliever from the market last week after a clinical study suggested a higher risk of heart ailments connected with the drug. The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that a study led by a Food and Drug Administration safety official compared Vioxx to Pfizer's Celebrex. According to the Journal, the analysis found that from Vioxx's approval in 1999 through last year, heart attacks "would have been avoided" had Celebrex been used instead. Those figures don't come from actual counts but are projections based on findings from an analysis of a database of patients of health-maintenance organization Kaiser Permanente. The study is a new headache for Merck, which is facing a flood of lawsuits that will question whether the company should have taken stronger action sooner in response to concerns about Vioxx.Patients who are currently taking Vioxx should contact their health care providers to discuss discontinuing use of the drug and possible alternative treatments. For more information, visit merck.com, vioxx.com, or the Food and Drug Administration's Vioxx page. Patients and health care professionals with questions can also call (888) 36-VIOXX (1-888-368-4699).Patients can get a refund on unused Vioxx by mailing back the remaining drug in the original container, along with a pharmacy receipt, to:
- NNC Group
Merck Returns
2670 Executive Dr.
Indianapolis, IN 46241
Previous Stories:
- October 5, 2004: Class-Action Lawsuit Filed In Illinois Over Vioxx
- October 4, 2004: Missouri Mom Sues Vioxx Maker For Daughter's Death
- October 1, 2004: Vioxx Recall Prompts Patients To Look For Alternatives
- September 30, 2004:
Popular Arthritis Drug Vioxx Recalled Worldwide
Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
