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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?

There are four questions that should be considered when considering a COX2 inhibitor NSAID:

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?

How can I report a serious Vioxx side effect to the FDA?

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

Where can I get more information on Vioxx?

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

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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