Stein,
Mitchell & Mezines represents patients who have suffered injuries connected to
the use of Vioxx.
Stein, Mitchell & Mezines is a Washington, DC-based law firm with years of
experience and a successful track record in representing patients injured by dangerous
drugs. If you would like to speak to one of our attorneys for a free evaluation,
please call (202)737-7777 or fill out the form below.
Vioxx® is a prescription COX-2 inhibitor used to relieve symptoms of arthritis and other
acute pain. It is manufactured by Merck & Company.
On September 30, 2004, Merck announced that it was immediately pulling Vioxx® off the
market (worldwide) because of concerns that it produces an increased risk of heart attack
and strokes. Merck says its decision to withdraw Vioxx® from the market is based on new
data from a trial called the APPROVe [Adenomatous Polyp Prevention on VIOXX] trial.
In the APPROVe trial, Vioxx® was compared to placebo (sugar-pill). The purpose of the
trial was to see if Vioxx® 25 mg was effective in preventing the recurrence of colon
polyps. The trial was stopped early because there was an increased risk for serious
cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes. The increased risk for heart
attacks and strokes was first observed after 18 months of continuous treatment with
Vioxx® compared with placebo.
A study published in 2000 known as the VIGOR trial found an increased rate of heart attack
in Vioxx patients compared to patients on another non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug,
naproxen (sold over-the-counter as Aleve). [See abstract of article here.]
At that time, Merck contended that the difference was due to a protective effect from
naproxen, reducing the risk of heart attack in naproxen patients. Some scientists disputed
Merck's position and contended there was good reason to believe that Vioxx had the effect
of increasing the tendency of clots to form inside the arteries, thus causing heart attack
and stroke. A report questioning the safety of Vioxx was published in the Journal of the
American Medical Association in August 2001. [See abstract here.]
In September 2001, the FDA sent a warning letter to Merck about Merck's improper practices
in downplaying the cardiovascular risks of Vioxx in its physician education programs.
Click here for the text of the letter.
Since 2001, many knowledgeable physicians became convinced, long before the news about the
APPROVe study, that Vioxx carried a substantially increased risk of heart attack and
stroke from a pro-coagulatory (clot-inducing) effect.
If you or a loved one has suffered:
- heart attack
- congestive heart failure
- stroke
- or a related disease
while taking Vioxx, you may have good reason to bring a legal action.
Stein, Mitchell & Mezines represents patients who have suffered injuries connected to
the use of Vioxx. For a no-cost, no-obligation, and confidential evaluation, fill out the form on this page. You will be contacted by one of our staff.
Our attorneys have a long and successful record of representing injured persons against
pharmaceutical companies. Go to our web
site for a further description.
Some law firms that advertise aggressively on the Internet refer virtually all clients to
lawyers in other firms and other cities who do the actual work of representing the client.
Stein, Mitchell & Mezines is a traditional
law firm that actively represents all of our clients. |
