Vioxx;"Sept. 30, 2004 -- Merck Pharmaceutical voluntarily pulled its popular anti-inflammatory drug Vioxx from shelves worldwide today after concerns it increases risk of stroke and heart attack. The move comes after a recent clinical trial linked the arthritis drug to these potentially fatal conditions. Showed an increased risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular problems after patients started taking Vioxx, showed that Vioxx at a 25-milligram dose prevents recurrence of polyps in the colon and rectum. This is not the first time there has been evidence linking Vioxx to heart attack. Patients taking more than 25 milligrams a day had triple the risk for heart problems. Another study showed that Vioxx doubled the risk of heart attack in patients taking blood pressure medication, which are used to relieve arthritis and joint pain. Merck says patients who are currently taking Vioxx should contact their health care provider to discuss discontinuing Vioxx and possible alternative treatments. Patients and health care providers can obtain more information by calling (888) 36-VIOXX (1-888-368-4699). The FDA says it will closely monitor other drugs in this class for similar side effects. All of the [non-steroidal anti-inflammatory] drugs have risks when taken, especially of gastrointestinal bleeding, but also liver and kidney toxicity."
I was taking Vioxx for about 3-months and stopped because I gained so much weight, in the short time I was on it. Now hear that it had other problems that it caused, worries me. As I was taking 50mg. a-day for pain I was having in my knee, I started with the normal 25mg. But the doctor uped me and after awhile it wasn't doing anything to help me , also the fact I gaining weight at record speed worried me mostly, so I went off them. I posted this to let everyone know, or if you know someone taking Vioxx!! Tell them to call the 1-800 number I have posted..
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