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Vioxx: Studies
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The makers of Vioxx launched a three year study to confirm the relative gastrointestinal benefits of Vioxx when compared to another pain medicine, naproxen. The study did show that patients who took Vioxx had fewer ulcers and other stomach ailments, but the shock of the study proved to be the greater tendency to experience serious cardiovascular events when taking Vioxx.
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A recent three-year study of Vioxx showed an alarming increase in stroke and heart failure among users. The study ... showed additional side effects, including gastro-intestinal bleeding and liver and kidney toxicity.
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In March 2000, Merck was first notified of the possible heart risks linked to taking Vioxx. The findings were derived from a study focusing on rheumatoid arthritis. Even though the drug showed to reduce the risk of internal bleeding, it appeared to raise the incidence of heart problems.
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Researchers have been warning about a connection between Vioxx and increased risk of heart attack and stroke for years. But until last week, Merck brushed those studies aside, saying they were inconclusive because they lacked the rigor of a placebo-controlled clinical trial. Now that Merck has acknowledged the safety risks, plaintiff's attorneys' cases would seem to be a slam-dunk.
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On September 30, 2004 Merck has removed Vioxx from the market in all countries because it has been associated with heart attacks, stroke, cardiovascular injuries and other side effects. Merck has removed Vioxx after and and extended study showed that patients using Vioxx double their risk of having a heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular injury. According to Merck, there are currently approximately 2 million people worldwide taking Vioxx and at least 84 million people have been prescribed Vioxx since it became available on the market in 1999.
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Merck continued to minimize unfavorable findings up to a month before withdrawing Vioxx. On Aug. 26, the company fired off a press release refuting Graham's study. "Merck stands behind the efficacy, overall safety and cardiovascular safety of Vioxx," it said.
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