Could Vioxx Have Caused Death, Stroke or a Heart Attack?

Vioxx, a COX-2 inhibitor, was a blockbuster drug for arthritis related joint pain. Bringing in $2.5 billion in sales for the pharmaceutical giant Merck in 2003, Vioxx was a hit with sufferers of arthritis worldwide. But, patients were unaware that the arthritis drug that they were prescribed possibly increased their chances of heart attack and stroke by 200%. How were they to know? Everywhere patients looked, commercials and doctors suggested the drug, touting its benefits.

It’s not clear how many people may have suffered a stroke, heart attack, or even death due to Vioxx. According to FDA employee and whistleblower David Graham, between 88,000 and 139,000 people in the United States have suffered Vioxx heart attacks and Vioxx related strokes. As many as 40 percent of those who suffered, died as a result. (Corporate Crime Reporter, 3 January 2005)

Could this have been avoided? Although the drug was pulled from the shelves, after a conclusive study in 2004 found that people using Vioxx for 18 months or more greatly increased their chances for heart attack or stroke, a study performed by Merck back in 2000 showed that patients who took Vioxx had an increased risk of developing heart problems. (NapaNews.com, 9 January 2005). Merck apparently decided not to publish those findings, and instead brought the drug to market.

The FDA has ordered an investigation of Vioxx heart attacks, strokes, and deaths. As evidence of negligence mounts against Merck, it is recommended that patients and their families investigate what medications were taken in the past and compare that to any new health conditions they now have.

Vioxx lawsuits are being filed throughout the U.S. against Merck for the company’s role in vigorously advertising the drug while possibly keeping the drug's side effects secret from patients and doctors.

LegalServicesInfo.com is a Vioxx lawsuit site that links people who have Vioxx related health concerns with Vioxx attorneys and Vioxx law firms who practice in product liabilty cases. Patients and family members of those suffering from Vioxx side effects can fill out their information on a brief form and have their case evaluated for free by a team of attorneys specializing in product liability and class action cases.