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What You Need to Know- Frequently Asked Questions About the Drug Vioxx
Looking for answers to your Vioxx Questions? Below you will find Vioxx
frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding Vioxx with Asthma, Aspirin,
Arthrotec, Heart Attacks, Strokes, and other important issues.
If you
have been injured by Vioxx, you need the experienced Vioxx attorneys at Weitz
& Luxenberg on your side. To recieve a free Vioxx case evaluation,
fill out this simple form for a response within 24
hours.
• What is Vioxx?
• Why was Vioxx taken off the market?
• What should I do if I am taking Vioxx?
• What are the Long-Term effects?
• What drugs are similar to Vioxx?
• What are NSAIDs?
• What is a COX-2 enzyme?
• What is a COX-1 Enzyme?
• Vioxx Recall – What does the recall mean to Vioxx users?
• Vioxx Recall – Am I Entitled to Compensation?
• How do I know if I have a valid legal claim?
What is Vioxx?
Vioxx is an anti-inflammatory drug used to alleviate pain and inflammation. This drug was designed as a "Super-Aspirin" to specifically inhibit COX-2 enzymes, without eliminating COX-1, as Aspirin and others do.
Why was Vioxx taken off the market?
Merck voluntarily removed Vioxx from the market after a recommendation by the External Data Safety Monitoring Board reported increased Risk for Cardiovascular events in its APPROVe clinical study.
What should I do if I am taking Vioxx?
You should contact your physician to discuss alternatives and possibly discontinuing your use of Vioxx. If you have been injured, you can fill out the questionnaire with Weitz & Luxenberg, and we can help you understand your legal options.
What are the Long-Term effects?
Vioxx may cause increased risk for cardiovascular events that include but are not limited to: heart attack (myocardial infarction), Ischemic Stroke, Deep Vein Thrombosis, Cardiac Sudden Death, and Pulmonary Embolism.
What drugs are similar to Vioxx?
Vioxx is a COX-2 selective NSAID and other drugs in the US market similar to Vioxx are Celebrex (celecoxib) and Bextra (valdecoxib). Other drugs also related to Vioxx are NSAIDs [non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs], ibuprofen (Motrin and Advil), Naproxen and Arthrotec. Arthrotec, though is a combination of an NSAID and another type of medication.
What are NSAIDs?
NSAID stands for Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug. NSAIDs decrease pain and inflammation. Most commonly they are used to alleviate inflammation of the joints and menstrual cramps through stopping the processes caused by cyclooxygenase. Nonselective NSAIDs characteristically cause major side effects on the gastrointestinal system that include: diarrhea, bloating, heartburn, ulcers and abdominal pain.
What is a COX-2 enzyme?
COX-2 is an enzyme that produces inflammatory prostaglandins and has an anti-coagulant effect on platelets and increases the diameter of blood vessels. Inflammatory prostaglandins develop when the body is injured. To alleviate unnecessary inflammation and pain in individuals with arthritis and severe menstrual cramps, NSAID selective COX-2 inhibitors target COX-2 enzymes and cease their production of inflammatory prostaglandins thus eliminating the factor that causes pain and inflammation. However, when using this special class of NSAID, strict inhibition of COX-2 may lead to an increase in adverse cardiovascular events (i.e. heart attack and stroke) by creating platelet activation imbalance.
What is a COX-1 Enzyme?
These enzymes are present in most all tissues and they activate prostaglandins that aid in maintaining kidney, gastrointestinal and platelet aggregation. Using COX-2 selective drugs creates an imbalance in favor of COX-1 enzymes. Although this mode of inhibition will decrease adverse gastrointestinal events the overabundance of COX-1 in endothelial tissues may increase the risk for blood clots and result in adverse cardiovascular effects (i.e. heart attacks and strokes).
Vioxx Recall – What does the recall mean to Vioxx users?
If you have taken Vioxx and have suffered a heart attack or stroke, or if someone you love has died after taking Vioxx, you may be eligible to file a claim against the manufacturer, Merck and potentially collect significant financial compensation.
Vioxx Recall – Am I Entitled to Compensation?
If you’ve taken Vioxx and you’ve suffered a heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular event, Weitz & Luxenberg can help you understand your legal options. Weitz & Luxenberg is one of America’s foremost medical malpractice/personal injury law firms, and has achieved prominence in many national litigations. The firm is currently representing thousands of individuals with their asbestos, DES, Rezulin, and other product liability and personal injury claims. With over 50 attorneys and 250 support professionals on staff, Weitz & Luxenberg is eminently qualified to provide you with the best possible legal representation.
How do I know if I have a valid legal claim?
The best way to determine if you have a case is to fill out this simple form, call our Client Relations department, toll free, at 1 (800) 476-6070 or email us at clientrelations@weitzlux.com.
Weitz & Luxenberg is no longer accepting Vioxx cases.
see also:
Publications
Serious Vioxx issues direct from medical journal PublicationsConcerned with important health issues? Check Publications on Vioxx
Active Lawsuits
Read about active Mass Tort and Class Action Vioxx LawsuitsKnow about current Class Action Vioxx Lawsuits and see how we can help
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