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Warning about the Vioxx Heart Attack

Vioxx is an arthritis medication that was very popular among arthritis patients. It was so widely prescribed by doctors and widely used by patients, because it alleviates arthritis pain without damaging the stomach (previous arthritis medications did). Soon scientists and doctors discovered that taking this medicine could result in a Vioxx heart attack. Patients who used this medication were twice more likely to experience cardiac arrest than the normal population. Also, Vioxx users were three times as likely to have a heart attack than arthritis sufferers using Celebrex. Once doctors realized the potential risks, they stopped prescribing the medicine. The decline of Vioxx's popularity caused Merck to recall the prescription medication. Clinical studies show that the cox-2 inhibitors in the medicine play a part in inducing a Vioxx heart attack. Recent documents reveal that Merck and the Food and Drug Administration were both aware of this fact since the year 2000. This drug affected many innocent people. Some people died from a Vioxx heart attack. Others developed cardiovascular problems that they must treat in addition to arthritis. Still more suffered the emotional loss of a loved one. Merck has tried to compensate the public by recalling the medication, but the fact remains that the manufacturer was aware of its detrimental effects. More lives could have been saved had they recalled and halted distribution of Vioxx in 2000. If you or someone you know suffered from a Vioxx heart attack, you should consult a personal injury lawyer. You could be compensated for your pain and suffering.