Vioxx, Celebrex, Bextra Lawyer

At this time, Pulaski & Middleman, LLC represents over 700 clients in ALL 50 states.

Vioxx and Vioxx Side Effects

On September 30, 2004, Vioxx was recalled worldwide.

Vioxx, also known as rofecoxib, was approved by the FDA on November 2001 and went to market in March 2002. Vioxx is made by Merck.

Vioxx is prescribed for the relief of symptoms of:

• osteoarthritis (also known as “wear and tear” arthritis, a degenerative joint disease common in older people)
• Continue to keep your regular doctor appointments.
• adult rheumatoid arthritis (a severe form of arthritis which affects over 2 million people)
• primary dysmennorhea (severe menstrual cramping)

In November 2002, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about Vioxx. The FDA has received about 20 reports of serious reactions among Vioxx users since sales began. The FDA also mandated product label changes for Vioxx. Merck, the manufacturer of Vioxx, sent letters to thousands of physicians alerting them to the new warnings.

A large study sponsored by Merck showed that patients taking Vioxx had four times the risk of heart attacks and that the risk appears to increase over time. Doctors are worried about the possibility of heart attacks because many of the arthritis patients taking Vioxx are elderly and have a higher risk of cardiovascular problems to begin with. While Vioxx does seem to cause fewer serious ulcers, FDA medical officers say the potential safety advantage is being offset by a higher risk of heart problems due to an excess of serious cardiovascular events.

In a study of more than 8,000 patients that compared the COX-2 inhibitor rofecoxib (Vioxx) with the traditional NSAID naproxen, the risk of cardiovascular problems, including heart attack, chest pain related to heart disease, stroke, sudden death and blood clots, was more than two times higher in the rofecoxib group than in the naproxen group.

Celebrex, Bextra and Celebrex, Bextra Side Effects

Celebrex (generic name: celecoxib) have been linked to an increased risk of blood clots, heart attacks and strokes. Celebrex is used to treat arthritis. Bextra is a COX-2 inhibitor, marketed by Pharmacia Corporation and Pfizer Inc. in the United States. The drug is prescribed for the treatment of osteoarthritis, adult rheumatoid arthritis, and the pain associated with menstrual cramping. Celebrex was the first of Pharmacia’s COX-2 inhibitors. The FDA is asking two outside advisory committees if Celebrex and Bextra offer enough benefits to stay on the market, if any pain relievers need stronger warnings and what further research is needed. The advisers are due to meet from February 16, 2005 through February 18, 2005. Studies “strongly suggest” the entire class of drugs called COX-2 inhibitors elevates the chances of cardiovascular problems, Dr. Ned Braunstein, senior director of Merck Research Laboratories, told the panel of FDA advisers.

A study from the Cleveland Clinic appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association and was based on an analysis of previous clinical trials. Celebrex and Vioxx are projected to produce U.S. sales greater than $6 billion this year. In a study of more than 8,000 patients that compared the COX-2 inhibitor rofecoxib (Vioxx) with the traditional NSAID naproxen, the risk of cardiovascular problems, including heart attack, chest pain related to heart disease, stroke, sudden death and blood clots, was more than two times higher in the rofecoxib group than in the naproxen group.

Since the Vioxx recall, questions have arisen about similar pain pills from Pfizer Inc., Celebrex and Bextra, as well as non-prescription drugs such as Naproxen (Aleve). All pain drugs in the class known as cox-2 inhibitors increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, a top scientist told a US regulatory panel. Dr Garret Fitzgerald, a cox-2 expert and researcher at the University of Pennsylvania, said the body reacts in the same way to drugs including Merck’s Vioxx and Pfizer’s Celebrex and Bextra. Dr Fitzgerald said the drugs create an imbalance in the body’s cardiovascular system that leads to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.

The annual rates of heart attack in both the Celebrex (celecoxib) and Vioxx (rofecoxib) studies were increased compared to a review of studies containing a total of more than 48,000 patients. In those studies, 0.52% of patients taking an inactive placebo pill had a heart attack each year. The annual rate of heart attack was 0.74% for patients taking rofecoxib and 0.80% for those taking celecoxib.

Injuries from Vioxx, Celebrex or Bextra

Each state has a law which limits the amount of time an injured person has to file a lawsuit after the injury. The amount of time can vary greatly for many reasons. If you or a loved one has suffered a heart attack, stroke or another serious side effect as a result of taking Vioxx, please contact us at 1-800-BAD-DRUG. We can help you understand your rights and options, and seek compensation for your injuries.

Note – Do not stop taking any medications without first consulting your doctor.