Vioxx (rofecoxib)
Vioxx Recall
Have you or a loved one recently suffered from a heart attack or stroke? Merck & Co. announced on September 29, 2004, that they are recalling Vioxx, a prescription drug commonly used for relief of arthritis and menstrual pain.
Vioxx (rofecoxib) was available by prescription only in 12.5 mg and 25 mg tablets, or 12.5 mg and 25-mg. oral suspensions. Vioxx was prescribed to relieve signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis, acute arthritis pain, and painful menstruation. Vioxx is a type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAID. Examples of other NSAIDs are ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, nabumetone, and ketoprofen. Vioxx has been prescribed for millions of people in the US since its introduction in 1999.
Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death, Heart Attack, and Stroke
Merck recalled Vioxx on September 29, 2004, due to information it released from a three-year clinical trial. The trial was designed to test the effectiveness of a 25-milligram dose regime of Vioxx in preventing the recurrence of colorectal polyps. The study found that after 18 months, patients taking Vioxx were at great risk of sudden cardiac deaths. Risk of heart attacks or stroke was also much greater in these patients. Citing these dangers, the drug was pulled from the market.
Earlier this year several similar studies warned that Vioxx could be extremely dangerous for patients at risk for heart attack and stroke, especially in the first three months of taking the drug .
If you or a loved one has recently suffered a heart attack or stroke, and was taking the prescription drug Vioxx, the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin may be able to help you. We have assisted a number of clients with similar claims due to these side effects of Vioxx.
Special Warnings with Vioxx
Stomach bleeding and other serious problems are well-known complications in people treated with the prescription drug Vioxx. The likelihood of such problems increases the longer you take a drug like Vioxx.
Why Vioxx is dangerous
People taking Vioxx had nearly three times the risk of sudden cardiac death, stroke, or heart attack if they were taking the 25-milligram dose of Vioxx. In August of this year, Merck announced that it strongly disagreed with study findings linking Vioxx to heart attacks, but reversed itself in September by pulling the drug from the market.
How We Can Help
Suffering a personal injury can put you at a serious disadvantage. No one expects to get hurt, and there is no way to plan your response in advance to an unexpected situation. Injured people can't always fight for themselves because of this disadvantage. Insurance companies and other business organizations, however, can and do plan their response to your injury long before it occurs. They have little incentive to offer you fair and just compensation for what has happened to you.
Personal injury lawyers exist to redress the balance of power between the injured and those that have done harm. They have the power of knowledge of the legal system, knowledge of the types of personal injury claims that exist and their value, and experience with insurance companies. They possess the negotiation skills that help put this power into your hands, and can work to get you a settlement that is usually better than any compensation you could negotiate on your own.
A personal injury can seriously affect your future as well as your current day-to-day activities. You deserve the counsel and protection of a qualified, experienced personal injury law firm that knows how to deal with these claims. We probably have experience with your type of personal injury, and can help you understand the value of your personal injury case and how best to proceed. Call the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin at 1-800-220-7321 or contact us right now and find out if you have a case today.
