Vioxx can cause heart attacks

On Sept. 30, 2004 Merck withdrew its popular anti-inflammatory drug Vioxx due to concerns over the increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and other heart problems. There is much controversy about whether the drug should have been pulled from the market much earlier since previous studies seem to indicate the same conclusion.

One such study called the Vioxx Gastrointestinal Outcomes Research (VIGOR) trial, published in March 2000, showed that Vioxx users increased their risk of “cardiovascular events” by five times. Merck rejected the findings at the time, stating that the data was questionable. Of course now it is very apparent that Vioxx can be extremely harmful.

But what has not been discovered is exactly why using Vioxx causes potentially deadly heart problems. One study by Dr. Garret FitzGerald of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine does point to a likely cause. The following is a basic description of the theory.

Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is a type of chemical in the body that triggers inflammation, pain, fever, and other symptoms in arthritis sufferers, among others. Vioxx (a Merck brand name for the drug rofecoxib) is a COX-2 inhibitor, which means that it “inhibits” – slows or stops – the body from making this chemical, therefore reducing the inflammation and other arthritis symptoms. In fact, Vioxx has been proven to be effective in reducing all kinds of pain including headaches and menstrual cramps.

But drugs do not affect just one part of the body, which is why every drug you see will list potential side effects. These side effects are the result of the drug working on other parts of the body. Everyone including pharmaceutical companies who make the drug, the FDA who approves the drug for consumer sale, the doctor who prescribes it, and the pharmacist who prepares it must decide if the potential benefits of the drug for the patient outweigh the potential side effects.

In the case of Vioxx, the drug also seems to inhibit the body from making prostacyclin as well. Without this chemical, the body seems to make more blood platelets and adds “oxidative stress” to the cardiovascular system. Both of these conditions can lead to a premature hardening of the arteries, and eventually heart attacks and other heart problems.

Dr. FitzGerald stresses that his study was on mice, not humans, so it cannot be held as direct and conclusive evidence as to how Vioxx affects the human body. “This study provides insight into how this risk might occur and identifies potential biomarkers of this evolving risk,” said Dr. FitzGerald in the study itself.

If you or a loved one has been hurt by taking Vioxx, it is important that you find out what your legal rights are. Contact the Personal Injury team at Jim S. Adler & Associates for a free case review. We’ll help you decide what legal course of action is best for you, and help you secure the compensation you deserve. Contact us directly, or click on the link below to submit your case.