After arthritis drug Vioxx (rofecoxib) was removed from the market in September 2004, researchers suggested that there was an increased heart risk associated with the medication after 18 months of use. A study of Vioxx to reduce the recurrence of colorectal cancer was halted early at the time the drug was withdrawn. According to study results published in the July 26, 2007 New England Journal of Medicine, researchers continued examining cardiovascular thrombotic events (e.g., heart attacks, strokes, sudden death related to cardiac issues, blood clots, and chest pain) in study participants for up to 24 months after the trial was closed.
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In the study, there were 1,167 patients who received Vioxx and 1,160 patients who received placebo. Of 23 confirmed cardiovascular thrombotic events, 16 occurred within the Vioxx group within 14 days following treatment. Within two years after the study was closed, there were 14 more cardiovascular thrombotic events, six of which were within the Vioxx group. The results suggest that increased heart risk exists within 14 days of treatment with Vioxx, not after 18 months as previously reported. Critics claim the results are inconclusive because of the small number of heart events and because median duration of treatment was only 7.4 months when the study was closed. You may be wondering what difference it makes since the drug is no longer available. There have been more than 27,000 lawsuits filed against Merck and until now risk associated with short-term use has been largely disregarded.
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