Vioxx (rofecoxib) News and Research

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Vioxx, also known as refecoxib, is a prescription COX-2 selective, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that was approved by FDA in May 1999 for the relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis, for the management of acute pain in adults, and for the treatment of menstrual symptoms.

Vioxx was withdrawn from U.S. drugstores in September 2004 after a Merck study showed that long-term users of the drug had twice the risk of heart attack and stroke.

COX-2 agents have influenced the way physicians prescribe rheumatology medication

COX-2 agents, with their perceived reduction in side effects, have contributed substantially to a dramatic increase in NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) prescription utilization and influenced the way physicians prescribe rheumatology medication

18 Oct 2004

Vioxx: an unequal partnership between safety and efficacy

Last week’s dramatic withdrawal of the COX-2 inhibitor rofecoxib (Vioxx) is discussed in this week’s lead editorial in THE LANCET, which comments that more vigilant drug licensing is vital to prevent the endangering of patients’ health.

7 Oct 2004

Canadian Rheumatology Association issues statement on Vioxx alternatives

The Canadian Rheumatology Association (CRA) has issued a statement to its 350 members and other interested parties, recommending alternative treatment considerations in the wake of the worldwide recall of Merck's rofecoxib, (Vioxx(R)) last week.

7 Oct 2004

EMEA statement following withdrawal of Vioxx (rofecoxib)

EU regulators met with the marketing authorisation holder of Vioxx (rofecoxib), Merck Sharp & Dohme, on 4-5 October 2004 at the informal meeting of the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) held in Scheveningen, The Netherlands.

6 Oct 2004

U.S. healthcare industry reaction to the withdrawal of Vioxx from the world-wide market

NDCHealth has announced U.S. healthcare industry reaction to the Sept. 30 announcement by Merck & Co. that it was withdrawing its anti-arthritic medication Vioxx from the world-wide market.

5 Oct 2004

Natural alternatives to osteoarthritis drug

The recall of Vioxx should come as a major sign of the need to look for safer alternatives for osteoarthritis treatment, according to the Director of the Australian Centre for complementary Medicine Education and Research (ACCMER), Professor Stephen Myers.

5 Oct 2004

Immediate voluntary world-wide withdrawal of Vioxx (rofecoxib)

Pharmaceutical company, Merck Sharp & Dohme has announced an immediate voluntary world-wide withdrawal of the drug, Vioxx (rofecoxib), commonly used for patients with rheumatoid or osteoarthritis.

4 Oct 2004

MHRA advice following withdrawal of Vioxx (rofecoxib)

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued advice following the withdrawal of a widely-used pain-killer and anti-inflammatory drug Vioxx (rofecoxib).

4 Oct 2004

Data demonstrate that Celebrex does not increase the risk of heart attack or stroke in patients with arthritis and pain

Pfizer has said that three large long-term Celebrex (celecoxib capsules) studies involving more than 6,000 patients have not shown any significant safety issues and are expected to continue to completion.

4 Oct 2004

Non-aspirin pain drugs may help men with recurrent prostate cancer

Early results from a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine study may determine if drugs called Cox-2 inhibitors, a newer type of non-aspirin pain medicine now widely prescribed for arthritis symptoms, may benefit men with recurrent prostate cancer.

10 Jun 2004

New medicare website shows inaccurate pricing

The new Medicare Web site with comparative prescription drug pricing contains inaccurate, erroneous information, sponsors of drug discount cards said on Friday. Companies offering the cards said the government and its contractor had posted inaccurate data just hours after the web site launch.

1 May 2004