Vioxx™

If you have taken Vioxx and you have suffered from a heart attack or stroke you may be entitled to compensation.

Vioxx News Alert: Merck withdraws arthritis drug Vioxx

September 30, 2004

Drugmaker Merck & Co. is pulling its best-selling arthritis drug Vioxx off the market, based on data indicating the drug increases the risk of heart attack and stroke among users.

The company announced the immediate, voluntary worldwide withdrawal after a three-year colon cancer clinical trial revealed that 18 months after patients started taking Vioxx, test results showed an increased risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular complications

Vioxx, approved in June 1999, is a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), and is in a class of drugs commonly referred to as a "Cox-2 Inhibitors." It comes in liquid or pill form and is manufactured by Merck & Co. Vioxx is prescribed to relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis. It can also be used to treat acute pain in adults such as those patients who experience severe pain associated with menstruation. Vioxx works by blocking COX-2 enzymes in the body that trigger pain and inflammation.

In addition to heart attacks and strokes, Vioxx has also been associated with several other life-threatening side effects, including blood clots, angina and nonbacterial meningitis, severe intestinal damage, ulcerations and bleeding, and kidney damage.
Many recent Vioxx lawsuits bring to light questions as to when Merck was first made aware that fatal side effects were associated with Vioxx, and whether the company failed to inform public health authorities of these side effects, in a timely manner. Additionally, Merck extensively marketed Vioxx as highly safe and effective, while minimizing its risks compared to other drugs on the market.

Please consult your physician before discontinuing any medication.

If you have taken Vioxx and have suffered any side effects, please contact our experienced Vioxx lawyers now for a free evaluation.

Vioxx (rofecoxib) is a Cox-2 inhibitor, a class of drug that was released on the U.S. market several years ago. This class of drug was to be the next step in treating osteoarthritis and other types of pain.

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 also shown to have an associated risk of heart attacks that was four times higher than the risk associated with the older NSAIDS.

The Food and Drug Administration ordered Merck & Co. to cease promotions aimed at getting doctors to prescribe its arthritis painkiller Vioxx, saying they minimized potential safety risks.

Individuals have been harmed by the negligence of the giant pharmaceutical companies, and can receive compensation for their injuries.

Several serious and sometimes life threatening side effects have been associated with Vioxx, these include:

Heart Attack
Blood Clots
Angina
Nonbacterial Meningitis
Interaction with Blood Pressure Medication
Kidney Damage leading to Kidney Failure

If you or a loved one have taken Vioxx and experienced any of the above side effects, you may have a right to seek compensation from the drug companies that have caused you pain.

News Alert

First Vioxx Trial Verdict and Cases Challenge 18-Month Damage Claim
On August 19, 2005, a jury in Angleton, Texas awarded $253.4 million in damages in the case of Ernst vs. Merck & Co. The final award, however, will not exceed $26.1 million due to Texas caps on punitive damages.

Analysts Predict Merck’s Vioxx Liabilities Could Hit $50 Billion
After Merck & Co. was assessed a $253+ million verdict in the first Vioxx trial in August 2005, financial analysts began adjusting their estimates on the size of future jury awards or settlements. With the end of the landmark trial, analysts’ estimates have escalated to as high as $50 billion.

Merck may settle some Vioxx cases, NJ trial looms
August 26, 2005 - Reuters - Merck & Co Inc. on Friday signaled it may consider settling some lawsuits alleging harm from its Vioxx pain drug, as it gears up for its second Vioxx court battle -- this time in its own backyard.

Merck Found Liable For Man's Death In Vioxx Trial
08-19-05 - Bloomberg - Merck & Co. must pay more than $253 million to the family of a Texas man who died after taking the company's Vioxx painkiller.

At Brown & Crouppen our experienced team of Vioxx and defective drug lawyers provide tough, aggressive representation for Vioxx victims and their families. When you choose us to handle your Vioxx lawsuit, our entire team becomes fully committed to your cause. We’ll find answers, hold negligent companies responsible and get you the compensation you deserve.

Brown & Crouppen can help you make informed decisions about your legal rights, so please call Brown & Crouppen at Toll Free: 866-991-4700 for your free legal consultation or save time with our online Contact Form.

Lawyer's Story...

My name is Ron Brown, along with my partner Terry Crouppen we founded Brown and Crouppen almost 20 years ago. Today, we are proud to say that we are one of mid-America’s largest personal injury lawfirms. For some time now we have concentrated a lot of our time and resources in the area of dangerous drug litigation. We have partnered with some of the country’s best drug litigation specialists to create a legal team we feel is second to none. Our team has successfully handled cases involving the prescription drugs Rezulin™, Fen-Phen™ and Lotronex™. CONTINUE

A Client's Story...

It’s really terrible to read about a prescription drug being recalled because of dangerous side effects, when you’re one of the people taking it. That’s what happened to me a few years ago. I suffer from a chronic disease and my doctor prescribed a drug to help me manage it better. After being on the drug for a while I began to feel weak and reported it to my doctor. I can’t say enough good things about him, he saved my life. He realized that my problems were being caused not by my disease but by the prescription drug that was supposed to be helping me. CONTINUE

Things You Should Know

Unfortunately, this is true. There are definite time limits in taking care of your case. These time limits are called statutes of limitations and if you wait past the time set out in the statute your case is over, forever, regardless if you have gotten any money or not. Don’t let this happen to you, if you have a Cerebral Palsy malpractice case don’t wait until it’s too late, call Brown and Crouppen now. CONTINUE

Call Brown & Crouppen at Toll-Free: 866-991-4700 for your free
legal consultation or save time with our online Contact Form.

Toll-Free: 866-991-4700