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Jurors award $47.5 million in Vioxx decision
March 13,
2007 (Associated Press) – “Merck & Co.’s painkiller Vioxx
contributed to an Idaho postal worker’s heart attack, a jury in
Atlantic City ruled Monday, reversing the verdict in the man’s first
trial and hitting Merck with a total of $47.5 million in damages."
Vioxx
Alert: Arthritis drug Vioxx Pulled from Market
Did Merck & Co. fail to inform public health authorities of the heart
risks and other serious side effects as a result of taking Vioxx?
The withdrawal of Vioxx, the popular arthritis drug manufactured by
Merck & Co. and taken by more than 1 million Americans, was removed from
the market September 30, 2004. It has been cited for raising the risk of
cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in the
United States. However, proof of that did not come until five years
after the drug was licensed and three years after the first hints of a
problem.
The drug was licensed in June 1999. Since then, more than 20 million
Americans have taken Vioxx at one time or another. In September 2001,
the FDA sent Merck an eight-page warning letter about the company’s
promotional campaign for Vioxx. The letter indicated that the campaign
minimized “the potentially serious cardiovascular findings that were
observed” in a trial that compared Vioxx to naproxen, a
less-expensive painkiller. The FDA charged that Merck discounted the
fact that "patients on Vioxx were observed to have a four to five-fold
increase" in heart attacks, compared with patients on naproxen.
In previous years, Merck consistently denied any possible links between
Vioxx and cardiovascular problems. However, a recent clinical trial
sponsored by Merck itself found that people taking a low dose of Vioxx
for more than 18 months were twice as likely to have a heart attack or
stroke as those taking a placebo. Merck now faces a flood of lawsuits.
In addition to increasing risk of heart attack and stroke, patients
taking Vioxx were found to be four times more likely to suffer from
heart attack than those taking naproxen (such as Aleve). |
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Pfizer arthritis
ads 'misleading': FDA.
1/12/2005
 60
Minutes Investigates Vioxx: A Prescription for Trouble
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VIOXX LAWYERS |
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Vioxx is more
likely to cause severe intestinal damage, ulcerations and bleeding,
blood clots and toxic epidermal necrolysis (a fatal skin disease), than
other arthritis pain relievers.
Other side effects related to Vioxx include:
- Serious kidney problems that could lead to acute kidney failure.
- Serious liver problems.
- Allergic reactions, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and
throat which can cause difficulty breathing or swallowing.
- The FDA reports that Vioxx has also been linked to at least five cases
of a non-bacterial type of meningitis, a rare but serious side effect.
These conditions may come about suddenly with few or no symptoms. If
left untreated, hospitalization or even death can occur.
 If you are experiencing any of the above listed side effects, and have
taken Vioxx, contact Belluck & Fox immediately for a
free legal evaluation.
Drug litigation can be extremely complex. It is best to seek the counsel
of an experienced Vioxx and pharmaceutical negligence injury lawyer.
Belluck & Fox has substantial experience with defective product
litigation, including pharmaceutical and medical product cases. We will
provide you with personalized, professional legal representation.
When Belluck & Fox successfully litigates your Vioxx claim, we never
charge a fee of more than one-third.
Call us today, toll free, at 1-877-NYLAW09 or contact us via our
online form.
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