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Vioxx: Drugs
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Like ibuprofen and naproxen, Vioxx is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID. But Vioxx belongs to a fairly new class of NSAIDs called COX-2 inhibitors. With Vioxx's demise, Pfizer's Celebrex and Bextra are the only COX-2 inhibitors sold in U.S. markets.
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Vioxx is a COX-2 selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Vioxx is ... related to the nonselective NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen and naproxen. Vioxx is a prescription medicine used to relieve signs and symptoms of arthritis, acute pain in adults, and painful menstrual cycles.
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During a recent study, Vioxx was shown to have half the occurrence rate of ulcers and gastrointestinal problems associated with the drug when compared to older non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as aspirin or Aleve. However, the drug was ... shown to have an associated risk of heart attacks that was four times higher than the risk associated with the older NSAIDS.
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[I]n addition to the Vioxx "scandal," mounting concern has a Pfizer drug in the spotlight: Bextra. It seems this drug may not be any safer than Vioxx, as analysis shows it may double the risk of heart and stroke among heart disease patients.
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The Vioxx drug trial, called the APPROVe [Adenomatous Polyp Prevention on VIOXX] trial, compared Vioxx to a placebo (sugar-pill). The purpose of the trial was to see if 25 milligrams of Vioxx was effective in preventing the recurrence of colon polyps. The trial was stopped early because there was an increased risk for serious cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes. The increased risk was first observed after 18 months of continuous treatment in patients taking Vioxx. The patients taking the placebo did not indicate any increased risks.
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Vioxx... known as rofecoxib, belongs to the new generation non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, referred to as a cox-2 inhibitor. Vioxx has been used to treat osteoarthritis, acute pain, migraines and menstrual cramps. Compared to older medications like ibuprofen or naproxen, Vioxx causes fewer stomach or gastrointestinal irritations and is less likely to cause an ulcer. However, since the approval of Vioxx in 1999 there have been several studies implicating it as increasing the risk of adverse cardiovascular events.
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