Vioxx

Vioxx is a brand name used by Merck & Co., Inc. ("Merck") to market and distribute rofecoxib tablets, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory prescription drug. Merck obtained FDA approval on Vioxx in approximately April 1999 via a New Drug Application on a fast-track, 6-month approval process. Merck began distribution and sale of Vioxx throughout the United States in approximately May 1999. Despite knowledge in its clinical trials and post-marketing reports associating Vioxx with hypertension and/or hypertension-related adverse health effects, Merck marketed and promoted Vioxx as safe and effective for persons with hypertension, or persons who had risk factors for stroke or cardiac problems.

On September 30, 2004 Merck has removed Vioxx from the market in all countries because it has been associated with heart attacks, stroke, cardiovascular injuries and other side effects. Merck has removed Vioxx after an extended study showed that patients using Vioxx double their risk of having a heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular injury. According to Merck, there are currently approximately 2 million people worldwide taking Vioxx and at least 84 million people have been prescribed Vioxx since it became available on the market in 1999.

The recent Texas jury verdict on behalf of the heirs of a Vioxx user in the amount of $253 million results from the fact that the drug manufacturer kept its product on the market after it knew of the grave health risks it caused. It is a step in the right direction toward getting victims and their families compensated for heart and stroke problems caused by pain killers known as Cox2 inhibitors – like Celebrex, Vioxx and more.

But one jury win is not enough. Drug companies that are greedy are going to dig their heels in and fight to keep such results from happening again. If you or someone you care about has been injured by their use of Vioxx, Celebrex or Bextra, you need a lawyer with experience to fight your cause and your case.

Adel & Pollack has been on the forefront of drug and other medical injury litigation for over 30 years. We have successfully represented families injured by vaccines, IUDs, tampons, pacemakers, diet drugs, Baycol, as well as by negligent doctors, nurses and hospitals.

If you or a loved one is in need of legal assistance, call Adel & Pollack at (310) 443-4455 or submit an online questionnaire. The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to handle your case, in most cases we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary recovery of funds. In many cases, a lawsuit must be filed before an applicable expiration date, known as a statute of limitations. Please call right away to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation.