Delaware Vioxx Lawyer

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Vioxx was a popular drug used to treat arthritis pain, pain associated with menstrual cramps, and acute pain in adults. Unfortunately, since it's release, the drug has been linked to increased incidences of heart attacks and strokes, and has been shown to cause blood clots throughout the body. Estimates state that as many as 33,000 people have died as a result of the use of prescription Vioxx. If you are a resident of the state of Delaware and have suffered due to the use of Vioxx, it is very important that you contact an attorney immediately. An attorney will be able to assist you through this trying time.

The Food and Drug Administration passed Vioxx for human consumption in 1999 after an abbreviated approval process. Before the drug was approved, however, Merck had already performed a clinical trial that found a nearly seven-fold increase in heart attack risk with low-dose Vioxx. Despite these warnings, Merck pushed the drug forward; it passed inspection, and was stocked upon pharmacy shelves world-wide. Over the next four years, some 80 million prescriptions for Vioxx were written.

After the release of the drug, Merck and independent researchers continued to study its effects. In 2000, another Merck clinical trial named VIGOR (Vioxx GI Outcomes Research) found a five-fold increase in heart attack risk with high-dose Vioxx. However, the company maintained that the drug was safe.

In 2002, a large-scale study reported a two-fold increased risk of heart attacks with high-dose Vioxx. In response to the accumulating evidence about the dangers of the drug, the FDA agreed to change its label. A new warning was put on that mentioned an increased risk of heart attacks, but Vioxx was not removed from the market.

Finally, in September, 2004, Merck voluntarily recalled the drug after another study named APPROVe (Adenomatous Polyp Prevention on Vioxx) showed that people who took the drug for more than 18 months had an increased risk of heart attack, whether they had pre-existing heart disease or not.

Some of the negative side effects associated with the use of Vioxx include the onset of acute kidney failure or the worsening of chronic kidney failure. Several Vioxx users reported liver problems. Symptoms of these liver problems included nausea, tiredness, pain in the upper-right abdomen, flu-like symptoms and itching. Swelling of the face, lips, tongue and throat occurred in Vioxx users who were suffering from an allergic reaction to the prescription. These particular types of swelling can lead to difficulty breathing or trouble swallowing. Vioxx users around the world found themselves suffering from intestinal and stomach bleeding. This bleeding almost always occurred without any warning signs. Other side effects of Vioxx use that were more common included: swelling in the feet and legs; high blood pressure; nausea; diarrhea; vomiting; heartburn; back pain; urinary track infections; and tiredness. People who took Vioxx suffered from one or more of these dangerous side effects. If left untreated, these side effects could lead to hospitalization or even result in death.

Vioxx was considered to be a miracle drug. It was part of the anti-inflammatory COX 2 inhibitors that were created to relieve arthritis pain better without any of the negative side effects found in the use of the older medications. Unfortunately, many Vioxx users lost their life. It is rumored that Vioxx remained in use for so long, despite the concerns, because it generated $2.5 billion in yearly profit. This figure generated 12 percent of Merck and Company's revenue.

No one should fall victim to greed. If you are a resident of the state of Delaware and have suffered a medical illness from the use of Vioxx, please contact an attorney.

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