Re: Merck's drug "Vioxx" is taken off shelves

"This all raises a lot of questions.
Like, how come this study group had so many heart attacks, and why are the general public on vioxx not having that many, or did they allready have a heart attack or stroke?"

The data from the recently stopped clinical trial supported data from earlier trials which showed in 2003 that long-term usage of vioxx led to a increased risk of heartattack and/or stroke due to clot formation. In any case patients, from all indications, would have to be on the drug for a period of at least 18 months before this risk is realized. This was not a case of isolated incidences or patient selction but rather something that was suspected well before this trial concluded.....I would suggest caution in reading too much into the circumstances surrounding the recall.


"This is almost certainly related to something else, like vaccines, and the study group was chosen that way? This high rate of heart attacks and stroke while on Vioxx does not seem to be in the 'general public on Vioxx' at that high of a rate."

Why does it have to be related to anything except long-term usage of this drug? How would you attribute a heart attack in the ER to vioxx over the years it has been on the market? Heart attacks do not come with labels identifying cause and efect. Only by directed trials and adverse event reporting does this type of thing come into the light of day. I guess I am not much of a Conspiracy believer! Tweet