Vioxx Side Effects
Patients who have used Vioxx for varying lengths of time have experienced potentially deadly side effects. In September 2004, Merck issued a voluntary Vioxx recall.
At the time of its removal from the market, Vioxx was used by more than 2 million people in the United States alone.
Side effects of Vioxx include:
• Blood clots
|
• Heart attacks |
| • Strokes |
• Congestive heart failure |
Patients who have taken Vioxx are at an increased risk of developing a blood clot.
Patients who have taken Vioxx for any amount of time are at an increased risk of developing a thrombus (or blood clot). Blood clots found in Vioxx patients can lead to potentially life-threatening strokes.
Vioxx is a COX-2 inhibitor. Unlike the COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitors like aspirin and Aleve, Vioxx presents the risk of blood clots because it suppresses the enzyme prostaglandin, which prevents blood clots.
Blocking COX-1 enzymes can lead to upset stomachs, but it has been proven to lower the risk of blood clots and heart problems. Blocking COX-2 enzymes increases the risk of blood clots because it blocks the anti-blood clotting enzymes in the body, but the upside is that it causes fewer upset stomachs.
Taking COX-2 inhibitors like Vioxx in order to suffer fewer stomach complications places patients at higher risk for blood clots that can cause serious health problems.
