Risks

Heightened Risk of Heart Attack Linked to Vioxx

Health concerns began to surface regarding Vioxx as early as June, 2001 when a prominent medical journal called The Lancet suggested the drug might have the potential to cause kidney damage. Then in August, 2001 an article published in the medical journal JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) raised concerns over the possible impact on cardiovascular health. In September, 2001 the American Heart Association, the National Stroke Association and the Arthritis Foundation asked the manufacturer of Vioxx, Merck & Co., to investigate whether the drug did in fact increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Since then, independent studies have shown that people taking Vioxx are four times more likely to have heart attacks than people using traditional arthritis pain relievers like Tylenol, Motrin or Advil. More specifically, research at the Cleveland Clinic noted a higher incidence of myocardial infarctions, or heart attacks, in people treated with Vioxx compared to those treated with naproxen (a standard NSAID sold under names like Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn). People with a history of heart problems are particularly at risk.

Researchers have not been able to determine yet whether the increased risk of heart attack is attributable to a property of all Cox-2 inhibitors (which is used in Vioxx as well as other medications such as Celebrex) or is specific to Vioxx.