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Frequently Asked Questions about Vioxx
Q: What is Vioxx?
A: Vioxx is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which reduces inflammation and relieves pain. NSAIDs work by inhibiting an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX). Vioxx, along with the drugs Celebrex and Bextra, is a COX-2 inhibitor.
Q: Is Vioxx still available in the United States?
A: No. Merck & Co., Inc. (Merck), the manufacturer of Vioxx, voluntarily withdrew the drug from the market in the United States and worldwide on September 30, 2004.
*** BREAKING NEWS - VIOXX VERDICT ***
The New England Journal of Medicine now knows Merck withheld important information from it, too.
A Texas jury has found pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co liable for the death of a man who took the once-popular painkiller Vioxx, awarding his widow $253 million in damages in the first of thousands of pending lawsuits.
If you (or a loved one) have been sickened or killed due to taking the prescription drug, Vioxx, the Texas pharmaceutical products lawyers at the law firm of Bailey & Galyen can assist you in pursuing a claim for damages relative to your loss. We are Board Certified Personal Injury Attorneys specializing in pharmaceutical products. Vioxx, an anti-inflammatory drug used to treat osteoarthritis and acute pain conditions,has been linked to numerous cardiovascular difficulties and deaths, prompting its removal from the market in September 2004. Despite the recall, users experienced heart attacks and strokes because of prolonged use of Vioxx. If you (or a loved one) have suffered as the result of taking Vioxx, contact Bailey & Galyen for a free, initial consultation. And, there are no legal fees unless damages are recovered on your behalf. Some of our results can be seen here.
The following is general information on Vioxx and its dangers, and should help to answer some of your questions concerning products liability or wrongful death claims.
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Vioxx - An Overview
In May 1999, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the drug Vioxx (generic name, rofecoxib) for the treatment of osteoarthritis, menstrual pain and the management of acute pain in adults. Vioxx is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which reduces inflammation and relieves pain. Vioxx does not actually cure arthritis or other diseases that cause acute pain, but helps to alleviate their symptoms. In September 2004, Merck & Co., Inc. (Merck), the manufacturer of Vioxx, voluntarily withdrew Vioxx from the market citing an increased risk of cardiovascular problems, including heart attack and stroke, in individuals who took the drug. If you took Vioxx and experienced adverse side effects, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. In addition, contact an attorney who has experience with product liability litigation.
Vioxx Safety Timeline
In November 1998, Merck sought approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Vioxx (generic name, rofecoxib), after having tested the drug on 5400 people in eight studies. In May 1999, the FDA approved Vioxx for the treatment of osteoarthritis, menstrual pain and the management of acute pain in adults. Merck voluntarily withdrew Vioxx from the market in September 2004. This article highlights some of the key dates of studies, articles and other events regarding the safety of Vioxx. If you have questions about Vioxx, contact your doctor or an attorney who has handled Vioxx litigation.
Overview of Vioxx Litigation
Claims against Merck & Co., Inc. (Merck) over Vioxx began to be filed in 2001, and really took off after Merck voluntarily removed Vioxx from the market in September 2004. In total, almost 27,000 lawsuits have been filed against the company. Merck's strategy was to fight every case. This is contrary to what many companies do when faced with an extremely large number of claims — try to obtain a quick settlement, even if it is expensive. The following article highlights some of the major decisions leading up to the November 2007 settlement. If you have questions about the Vioxx litigation, talk to an experienced product liability attorney.
Vioxx Settlement
On November 9, 2007, Merck & Co., Inc. (Merck), the manufacturer of Vioxx, announced that it had entered into a settlement agreement in which it agreed to pay $4.85 billion into a settlement fund to resolve qualifying claims. Merck did not admit any fault, liability or wrongdoing, and will continue to defend all claims that are not part of the settlement process. If you have a pending claim against Merck and have questions about how this settlement will affect you, contact a lawyer who has experience handling Vioxx cases.
Pharmaceutical Liability Litigation
“Pharmaceutical liability” is the term used to describe the legal consequences a manufacturer of drugs may face if its products injure people. Cases involving injuries caused by drugs, such as Vioxx, medical devices and other pharmaceuticals are a subset of products liability cases. Drugs and other pharmaceuticals can have several defects, including design defects, manufacturing defects, problems with the testing of the drug, inadequate warnings or improper instructions for use. Any of these problems can cause serious injuries. If you believe that a medicine, herbal supplement or medical device, such as a heart valve, has caused you to suffer from serious, adverse side effects or other injuries, an experienced pharmaceutical liability attorney can evaluate your situation and explain your options for recovery.
FDA Overview
The Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) is the division of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that is responsible for evaluating and approving new prescription, generic and over-the-counter drugs before they can be sold. It is the CDER's job to ensure that these drugs work correctly and that their health benefits outweigh known risks. CDER is also responsible for overseeing the research, development, manufacture and marketing of drugs; ensuring that advertisements for prescription drugs are truthful; and monitoring drugs that have been approved for unexpected health issues. If health risks are discovered after a drug is approved, CDER informs the public of the risk, ensures that changes are made to the drug's label and, if it is necessary, removes the drug from the market. If you have questions about the approval or removal of a particular drug from the market, health risks related to a drug or litigation regarding those risks, talk to an attorney.
Vioxx Resource Links
Medline - Arthritis
Information and illustrations from the A.D.A.M. Health Illustrated Encyclopedia, available through MEDLINEplus.
Healthfinder
Information compiled by healthfinder, a federal Web site organized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Merck
Drug manufacturer's Web site containing information on Vioxx.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Part of the National Institutes of Health under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
WebMD
Well-respected, professional medical Web site with information on a variety of health-related topics.
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