cardiac - Vioxx Lawsuits Abound. Where does This Leave the Arthritis Sufferer?

Vioxx Lawsuits Abound. Where does This Leave the Arthritis Sufferer?

by Wendy Owen

Copyright 2005 Wendy Owen

Vioxx, a popular pain medication was fetching it's manufacturer, Merck Pharmaceuticals, millions of dollars in sales in 2004. Today it has been withdrawn from sale and is the subject of several Vioxx lawsuits. It's demise, due to unacceptable risk factors, leaves doctors and patients confused and wondering how many more "time bombs" there are lurking out there

What is Vioxx?

Vioxx is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) mainly prescribed for pain relief for people suffering with various forms of arthritis. The product was launched in 1999 and was available in several countries.

Vioxx is one of the family of COX-2 inhibitors. Drugs with this label block the Cox 2 enzyme while allowing the Cox 1 enzyme intact. The Cox 1 enzyme is necessary as it protects the stomach lining. Without this protection, patients are at risk of ulcers, stomach bleeding and intestinal damage.

The main risks from taking Vioxx are an increased risk (4:1) of heart attack or stroke. While this risks were said only to affect people who have

been taking the drug for 18 months or more, there is some evidence that they may also affect short term users as well.

Vioxx lawsuits

There are currently over 7000 vioxx lawsuits, both individual and class action, pending against Merck. The number of lawsuits are growing by the day. To be eligible to claim compensation from Merck, a person must have been taking Vioxx medication and have suffered some ill effects from doing so.

Merck must be shown to have breached their "duty of care" towards their customers and have acted irresponsibly in information them of the health risks that Vioxx could cause. Although Merck pulled Vioxx from the shelves voluntarily in 2004, there is evidence that they knew of risks associated with Vioxx as early as 2000, but didn't pass on any warnings to the public.

If you believe that taking Vioxx has caused you to suffer a heart attack or stroke, it is important to act before the statute of limitations expires. At the time of writing there have not been any successful Vioxx lawsuits. Those who have experienced any lost earnings or

mental pain and suffering due to taking Vioxx are also being advised to claim compensation.

What are the alternatives?

There are other COX-2 selective NSAIDS on the market, Celebrex (celecoxib) and Bextra (valdecoxib).These are now undergoing stringent testing by the FDA to ensure they are safe alternatives.

The manufacturers of other NSAIDS such as Aspirin or Ibuprofen have been requested by the FDA to change the labelling on their products to include warnings about any side effects that may be experienced - for example gastro intestinal bleeding.

Natural arthritis pain relief is a safe and effective option. The medical profession is fond of pointing out that natural remedies are not controlled or tested by the FDA. After the Vioxx debacle you have to wonder it this really matters!

About the author:

Wendy Owen is a natural health writer and researcher. visit her site at http://www.natural-arthritis-medication.com for arthritis information, articles and a natural arthritis remedy.

Other Articles:

Why Hydrogenated Oils Are Bad For You
Warning: Do not eat foods that contain partially hydrogenated and hydrogenated fats. These fats are found in all kinds of packaged and junk food. Food manufacturers really don't care about your health when they add hydrogenated oils to their foods. Good clean vegetable oils are...

How To Come To Terms With Diabetes
The best way to deal with diabetes is to admit to yourself, more than to anybody else, that you have it. Then a person is in the right position to understand diabetes. A person should arm themselves with as much information about the condition as possible. Research everything...

Ten Of The Best Supplements That Men Need For Optimum Nutrition
There are many nutrition supplements at your local health food store. So many to choose from so confusing which ones are the right ones. How many should you take? Here you will learn what you need to take for the best health benefits. A word of warning here although these products are...