The first Vioxx trial against Merck & Co. is currently underway in Texas. On July 28, 2005, the judge agreed to allow a pathologist who autopsied Robert Ernst to testify to jurors. Although the original autopsy in 2001 did not mention heart attack as a cause of death, the pathologist has recently stated an irregular heartbeat was brought on by a heart attack. This is a major blow to Merch & Co. who are relying on the pathologist's original autopsy report.
Merck & Co. withdrew Vioxx® from the marketplace on September 30, 2004. According to the company, Vioxx® has been linked to an increase of heart attacks and strokes in patients and should be withdrawn.
Many consumers taking Vioxx® have suffered strokes, heart attacks, heart failure, chest pains, blood clots, serious bleeding and even death. If you have taken Vioxx® and experienced any of these health problems, call or email us immediately so that we can evaluate your potential Vioxx claim. You can SUBMIT A SHORT AND SIMPLE CASE EVALUATION HERE.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Vioxx®
in 1999 for the treatment of osteoarthritis and the management of
acute pain in adults. Vioxx®, a Cox-2 inhibitor used most often for
patients with osteoarthritis, has been linked by researchers to
serious side effects including an increase in the risk of blood clots;
severe intestinal damage, including ulcerations and bleeding;
heart attacks and strokes. In addition, meningitis was a side effect
involved in seven cases of patients taking Vioxx®.
An article published in August 2001 in the Journal of the
American Medical Association raised concerns over the negative
side effects on cardiovascualar health related to both Vioxx® and
another COX-2 inhibitor Celebrex®.
Likewise, a research report by the Institute for Clinical Evaluative
Science, published in the May 28, 2004 issue of The Lancet,
suggests that arthritis patients taking were 80% more likely to be
hospitalized for heart failure. This risk is compared to a 10% risk
with ibuprofen or naproxen, two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs. The researchers believe that until more research is done on
Vioxx®, doctors should use caution in prescribing Vioxx®, as well
as Celebrex®, to patients with heart disease.
my husband was taking vioxx back in 9/03 he complained of chest pain alot of the time. he didn't like taking it,he told his doctor about it they finially sitched him to celebrex which was no better. he never complained about the chest pains until he started taking vioxx he said he felt like he was going to have a heartattack or stork he was really scared so was i.
