Can My Pharmacist Continue To Fill My Prescription For Vioxx?
No. Merck is initiating a market withdrawal in the U.S. to the pharmacy level. This means Vioxx will no longer be available at pharmacies.
- I had a prescription for Vioxx, and now that Vioxx is off the market, what questions should I ask my doctor in choosing a different COX2 inhibitor?
- Is the COX2 inhibitor agent selective? (An agent must be more than 100fold more COX2 selective than COX1 to meet this criteria.)
- Does the COX2 inhibitor agent have a sparing effect for stomach ulcers and other gastrointestinal bleeding and complications?
- Does the COX2 inhibitor agent spare platelet function? (This is particularly important for those at risk for heat attacks, strokes or other cardiovascular condition caused by blood clots.)
- Is the COX2 inhibitor agent effective clinically?
The FDA encourages anyone aware of a serious adverse reaction to make a MedWatch report. You can report an adverse event in two ways: Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch and click on "How to Report" Call (800) FDA1088
You can obtain more information from Merck at: www.merck.com and www.vioxx.com, or (888) 36VIOXX (888) 3684699. To find out more about Vioxx from the FDA
Visit the FDA's Drug Information web page at: http://www.fda.gov/cder
Also, call Drug Information at (888) INFOFDA (888) 4636332.
Other Vioxx FAQs
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Q:
What Action Did The Fda Take?
A: The FDA issued a public health advisory concerning the use of Vioxx. This advisory is based on Merck voluntarily withdrawing Vioxx from the market due to safety concerns. -
Q:
Why Wasn't The Approve Trial Stopped Earlier?
A: The APPROVe trial began enrollment in 2000 and was being monitored by an independent data safety monitoring board (DSMB). It was not stopped earlier because the … More -
Q:
What Are Nsaids?
A: NSAIDs are a large group of drugs that have painrelieving (analgesic) and fever reducing (antipyretic) effects, as well as the effect of reducing inflammation … More -
Q:
Does The Withdrawal Of Vioxx From The Market Suggest That Other Drugs In The Same Class Are Dangerous?
A: The results of clinical studies with one drug in a given class do not necessarily apply to other drugs in the same class. Chronic use of NSAIDs has risks which … More -
Q:
Were There Any Warning Flags That Led To Merck's Recall Of Vioxx?
A: When the FDA sent a warning letter to Merck in 1999 calling Merck's promotional materials "false and misleading," and when the FDA directed Merck to send a letter to … More -
Q:
What Is Vioxx?
A: Vioxx (rofecoxib) is a prescription COX2 inhibitor nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID). Vioxx works by inhibiting the COX2 form of the COX … More -
Q:
What Evidence Supports The Withdrawal?
A: Merck's 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 … More -
Q:
Why Has Vioxx Been Withdrawn From The Market?
A: New research shows that a major Vioxx side effect is a greatly increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) events such as heart attack or stroke if used longterm. More -
Q:
Did The Food And Drug Administration (Fda) Require The Removal Of Vioxx?
A: No. Merck made this decision independent of input from the FDA. The FDA agrees with the company that there appears to be significant safety concerns for patients, … More -
Q:
What Other Drugs Are Similar To Vioxx?
A: Vioxx is related to the nonselective (traditional) NSAIDs aspirin, Ibuprofen, Nabumetone, Naproxen, Ketoprofen and other traditional NSAIDs. Celebrex (celecoxib) … More
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