Vioxx arthritis drug is withdrawn over safety fears
01/10/2004
I would recommend Alexander Harris because they provide a very good service.
Stephanie, CheshireMerck announced global withdrawal of its arthritis drug Vioxx today after a colon cancer trial confirmed long-standing concerns the drug raises the risk of heart attack and stroke.
David Harris, Pharmaceutical Product Liability Partner at Alexander Harris today said: "Already in the United States law firms are progressing with pursuing action on behalf of individuals who believe they have been harmed as a result of taking the drug. One firm has its first Vioxx trial scheduled for later this year."
A recent study by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration suggested patients taking Vioxx faced a 50 percent greater risk of heart attacks and sudden cardiac death than those taking a rival treatment.
Merck said it is withdrawing the drug following data from a new three-year trial of Vioxx, designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the drug's standard 25 milligram dose in preventing recurrence of colorectal polyps. Such polyps often become cancerous.
"In this study, there was an increased relative risk for confirmed cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke, beginning after 18 months of treatment in the patients taking Vioxx compared to those taking placebo," Merck said in a release.
If you have suffered any adverse side effects as a result of Vioxx and require Vioxx legal advice, please complete the online enquiry form. Your enquiry will be forwarded to a specialist product liability solicitor.
For further information about Vioxx in the news, please read 'Major arthritis drug withdrawn after sudden death fears.'
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