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Vioxx - Super-Aspirin Gone Wrong - What You Should Know About the Drug
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as the "super aspirin" Vioxx, are prescribed to patients who suffer from arthritis and pain. The most common adverse side effect from taking these medicines is gastrointestinal toxicity. Non-selective NSAIDs decrease pain and inflammation through halting the activity of both COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes.
Weitz & Luxenberg recently won the 2nd major Vioxx verdict, a sum of $13.5 Million.COX 2 selective drugs, also including Bextra and Celebrex were created as an alternative to non-selective NSAIDs to decrease stomach, kidney and gastrointestinal problems commonly associated with these drugs. The mechanism of action of Vioxx and other drugs in the same class is believed to be through strictly inhibiting cyclooxygenase 2, the enzyme that is primarily responsible for inflammation and pain.
Inhibiting strictly COX 2 enzymes creates an imbalance in favor of COX 1 enzymes resulting in a greater likelihood for platelet aggregation and endothelial constriction.
Although COX-2 enzyme activity is notorious for inducing symptoms of inflammation and pain, these enzymes also act as natural blood thinners and vasodialators preventing cardiovascular adverse such as heart attacks and strokes.
Patients taking COX-2 selective inhibitors (Vioxx, Celebrex and Bextra) may be trading GI risks for cardiovascular risks.
Although COX-2 selective drugs differ structurally from non-selective NSAIDs, they virtually have the same gastrointestinal toxicity risks. COX-2 selective inhibitors in addition to non-selective NSAIDs also creates increased cardiovascular risk and with the drugs Bextra and Celebrex (in some patients) severe skin disorders.
After ingesting the drug Vioxx (rofecoxib), it stays within your body (regardless of gender) for a maximum of 9 days at steady-state levels and the maximum concentrations are reached generally after 2-3 hours. Rofecoxib has low solubility in aqueous pathways.
Cyclooxygenase activates arachidonic acid that then creates the
synthesis of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are the mediators for many functions
throughout the body, but the drug Vioxx specifically stops the enzymic activity
of COX-2 that mediates the production of prostaglandin that causes inflammation,
pain and fever.
Specifically inhibiting COX-2 also leads to the
inhibiting of Prostaglandin I2 (PGI2), which was found by Dr. Garret A.
Fitzgerald to vasodilate smooth muscle and prevent the aggregation of
platelets.
The VIGOR study, conducted by Vioxx’s manufacturer, Merck, confirmed serious cardiovascular adverse events may occur as soon as four months after chronic use.
Vioxx prescription labeling was changed in April 2002 to include the mention of dangerous cardiovascular side effects and to also expand its prescribing indication to patients who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.
If you feel you may have suffered harm or injury due to Vioxx use, please fill out this simple form for a FREE legal consultation. One of our client relations representatives will review your claim within 48 hours.
Weitz & Luxenberg is no longer accepting Vioxx cases.
see also:
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Recall
Vioxx Recall: A brief history of the Vioxx RecallA review of the headline-making Vioxx Recall
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