Join our mailing list and receive updates.

Health Information -

vioxx

 

The Drug

The search for solutions to pain and inflammation are significant amongst those who suffer from such conditions as arthritis. Vioxx has become the world’s fastest-growing prescription drug for osteoarthritis and acute pain, but with that has come considerable and mounting concern over the Vioxx side effects which include cardiovascular risks. This has resulted in a Vioxx recall and vast numbers of Vioxx lawsuits.

Vioxx is part of a new class of painkillers, called COX-2 inhibitors. COX-2 inhibitors selectively block the enzyme cyclooxygenase, which impedes the production of the chemical messengers called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins cause pain, swelling or inflammation. This drug along with Celebrex is less disruptive to the gastrointestinal tract of sensitive individuals than their older competition and still provides the same anti-inflammatory and pain relieving qualities. Within the first two years of its release it was clear that this particular drug posed significant cardiovascular risks, including heart attack and stroke. The flood gates opened for impending Vioxx lawsuits.

The Down Side of Drug Development

A fierce battle regarding the

Vioxx lawsuit

and Celebrex ensued within the highly competitive pharmaceutical marketplace, in which federal regulators said marketing claims ran ahead of the science. A Vioxx recall was initiated, with a myriad of Vioxx lawsuits at its heels. Both drugs claimed to reduce moderate to severe acute pain but it is the Vioxx side effects that presently have it under scrutiny for its negative affects. Studies have indicated that neither Vioxx nor Celebrex alleviate pain any better than their older counterparts although Celebrex to date has not appeared to pose any health risks. The

Vioxx recall

has been earned, as the Vioxx side effects can prove devastating.

Merck has been accused of accelerating the release of this controversial COX-2 Inhibitor prematurely to support their marketing position, as a number of their patented products were reaching expiry therefore open to the generic competition. Pharmaceutical sales were soon to be challenged and Merck clearly needed a wonder drug to put them back into the running. Millions of dollars were spent on advertising to achieve this end.

Vioxx Under Fire

To date, Merck Pharmaceutical Company is facing extensive Congressional and Justice Department investigations but also potentially thousands of personal injury Vioxx lawsuits. Dr. David Graham estimates that Vioxx side effects, consisting of 27,000 heart attacks or deaths, can be linked to cardiac problems as a direct result of using this drug. Data indicates that these numbers are at least double and validate the Vioxx recall and Vioxx lawsuits.

Dr. Wayne Ray, an epidemiologist at Vanderbilt University, conducted a study where patients took higher than the recommended dosage of this COX-2 inhibitor over a long-term. These individuals had significantly more Vioxx side affects, including heart attacks and strokes. He states, “A heart attack in exchange for an ulcer is a poor treatment.” Numbers of other studies exist that support similar findings and have contributed to the Vioxx recall and the influx of Vioxx lawsuits.

A lab study in 2002 at Elucida Research in Massachusetts, found that the drug in question damaged the lipids within the bloodstream in a way that made them more susceptible to clotting. Excessive aggregation of blood cells can result in heart attack and stroke and are common Vioxx side effects. In most cases it would be recommended that that a cardiovascular study be conducted to substantiate these claims but this would clearly be unethical. Dr. Graham concluded that high doses of Vioxx increased the risk of heart disease 3.7 times. The Vioxx recall was validated and held urgency.

The only saving grace for Merck at this time is that they voluntarily withdrew the COX-2 Inhibitor in question from the marketplace. This adds to a long string of failures from their laboratories.

Conclusion

As a consumer in the marketplace for anti-inflammatories and pain relief, there are a number of considerations to be made, as many options are available. Discretion needs to be exercised, as the long-term affects of using such COX-2 inhibitors hold potentially life-threatening consequences. The Vioxx side effects and the subsequent Vioxx recall are clear reminders that caution need be exercised.

NSAIDs

Pronounced "ensayds," these drugs help reduce pain and swelling in the joints while decreasing stiffness. A low dose controls pain, but higher doses are required to reduce inflammation.

The problem with NSAIDs is their side effects.

• Taking more than one NSAID at a time increases the possibility of heartburn
• Can cause severe side effects such as ulcers and bleeding
• Inhibit the blood's ability to clot properly and may therefore interact with blood-thinning medications such as coumadin
• Kidney disease, a reported side effect

Most NSAIDs require a prescription, including naproxen (Naprosyn®), nabumetone (Relafen®), indomethacin (Indocid®), diclofenac (Voltaren®), piroxicam (Feldene®) and sulindac (Clinoril®). Other NSAIDs are available over-the-counter; these include ASA (Aspirin®, Anacin® and others), and ibuprofen (Motrin IB®, Advil® and others.)

Corticosteroids

• Frequently used to treat extreme inflammation, pain and stiffness
• Also prescribed to help control systemic rheumatoid arthritis (affecting the internal organs, nerves, blood vessels, etc.)
• Most commonly used oral corticosteroid is prednisone. Long-term use of this drug may give rise to cataracts, high blood pressure, problems sleeping, muscle loss, bruising, osteoporosis and osteopenia (thinning of the bones), weight gain, immune suppression and increased susceptibility to infection.
• If you are prescribed a corticosteroid, your doctor will give you the lowest possible dose to begin with, slowly reducing this after six months use.

Cortisone may be injected directly into the joint to relieve severe inflammation and swelling. Cortisone mimics the anti-inflammatory effects of cortisol - a hormone produced naturally in the body. A cortisone injection can provide almost immediate relief for a tender, swollen or inflamed joint. However, since corticosteroids can weaken cartilage and remove minerals from the bone, they should only be used rarely. Chronic use of corticosteroids may result in immune suppression and increase the risk of infection.

Substances That May Help Modify The Disease Process

These include DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-inflammatory drugs) and a relatively new class of drugs known as Biologics. They help to prevent the joint damage that can increase discomfort and lead to deformities.

DMARDs

Pronounced "deemards,"

• Halts the progression of the disease by inhibiting the immune system from attacking the joints
• Take up to six months to take effect
• Normally only prescribed when inflammation continues for more than six weeks or when the disease strikes many joints at the same time.
• DMARDs reduce inflammation but CANNOT reverse permanent joint damage. The most common DMARDs are gold salts, sulfasalazine, methotrexate, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine and azathioprine. DMARDs are normally prescribed in addition to an NSAID or prednisone.

Side effects from using DMARDs may include:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Mouth sores
• Liver damage
• Excessive lowering of white blood cell count and platelet count

Biological Response Modifiers (Biologics)

These drugs are usually prescribed for people with rheumatoid arthritis who fail to respond to conventional treatment. Biologics, such as etanercept (Enbrel®) and infliximab (Remicade®), block specific biochemicals that are involved in the inflammatory process and can provide fast relief - usually within a couple of weeks. Side effects include:

• Headaches
• Upper respiratory infection
• Pain
• Swelling
• Immune suppression
• Damage to bone marrow (rare)

Nutricol™

Nutricol™, available as Recovery™, is a food-based non-drug supplement proposed to improve quality of life*.

Nutricol™ (Recovery™) may be safely combined with other rheumatoid arthritis medications or taken on its own to help improve quality of life*. Nutricol™ (Recovery™) has been developed to improve circulation to tissues, speed repair and slow or halt tissue damage. It does not produce unpleasant side effects. Since Nutricol™ (Recovery™) works to modify your body's responses, it may take up to six weeks for you to experience relief, with most people noticing benefits within a month.

Click here to see what health professionals are saying about Recovery™ with Nutricol™.