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: Can My Pharmacist Continue To Fill My Prescription For Vioxx?
  A: 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 … 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• Q: Why Has Vioxx Been Withdrawn From The Market?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