Vioxx Heart Attack

Introduction

Vioxx Heart Attack is caused by the drug called " vioxx".

It is a tablet marketed by the company MERK.

It's pharmacological name is known as "Rofecoxib"

Rofecoxib is belonging to NSAID (Non steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs) group

Other famous NSAID's are

1. Acetaminophen(Paracetamol)
   
2. Ibuprofen(Brufen)
   
3. Mefinamic acid(Ponstel)
   
4. Acetylsalicylic acid(Asprin)
   
5. Methyl salicylate(Oil of wintergreen)
   
6. Diclofeanc(Voltarol)
   
7. Ketorolac
   
8. Indomethacin(indometacin)
   
9. Piroxicam
   
10. Tenoxicam
    
11. Naproxen
    

These drugs acting by inhibiting Cox-1 and Cox-2 enzymes
COX-Cyclo-oxygenase(Prostoglandin synthase)

Cox-1 enzyme protects mucous lining of stomach.NSAID'S by acting by inhibiting Cox-1 enzyme it reduces the production of Prostaglandin's which is pain producing factor.

But inhibition of Cox-1 enzyme causes various gastro intestinal problem like

1. Heart burn
   
2. Epigastric(upper abdominal) Distress
   
3. Vomiting
   
4. Gastritis
   
5. Gastric ulcer
   
6. Gastro intestinal bleeding
   

Because of these side effects newer generation of NSAID's are found

• Celecoxib(celebrax)
  
• Valdecoxib(Bextra)
  
• Roficoxib(Vioxx)
  

These newer drugs are acting against Cox-2 enzyme only and there by reducing Gastro intestinal side effects.

VIOXX(Rofecoxib)
Vioxx was introduced by MERK and approved by FDA(Food and Drug Administration of USA) on may 1999

Initially it was used for the treatment of

• Osteo arthritis
  
• Acute pain in adult patients
  
• Pain during menstrual period
  
• Bursitis
  
• Gout
  
• Severe Head ache
  

Vioxx was concluded as less risk tablet than other NSAID tablets.

Vioxx was then recommended for Rheumatoid arthritis(It is a disorder involving pain in the multiple joints of body)
Vioxx was selling for more than 2.5 billion dollors/year.

But in 2004 MERK company came voluntarily about the study of vioxx.MERK submitted VIGOR(vioxx gastro intestinal outcome research and APPROVe study.

These both studies gave the conclusion of developing coronary heart disease in long term use.

The people using vioxx came with out heart attack symptoms were found to have leision and thrombus(blood clot) in the coronary vessels.

Those people found to have lesion went for vioxx heart attack lawsuit to get compensation.

More than 20,000 were died due to heart attack who were using VIOXX.

Finally MERK voluntarily stopped marketing vioxx on sep 2004.

The newer NSAID's Etoricoxib and Lumiracoxib are under clinical trails to avoid the complication of causing heart attack.

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