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Vioxx – Concerns Continue
Surprising results from a recent study by Merck
show that the risk of heart attack and stroke
remain for at least a year after patients stop
taking the drug. These results are from a study
called APPROVe. Study participants were given
either a placebo or Vioxx for three years. The
study ended in 2004 after Vioxx patients were
found to have cardiovascular complications around
twice as often as those who were on the placebo.
However, researchers continued to monitor both
groups for an additional year.
Vioxx patients were 74 percent as likely to develop
heart problems in the year following administration.
Merck pointed out that the number of cardiovascular
problems noted in that additional year were so
small that it could have been due to chance. Clinical
trail experts have noted that while the numbers
may be small, it points to a trend that deserves
some attention.
The concern is that those who may have been on
the drug and did not see negative effects while
they were taking it may be under a false pretense
to believe that they are no longer at risk. Some
estimates have stated that Vioxx may be responsible
for more than 138,000 heart attacks and 58,000
deaths.
For more information on this medical topic, please
call our office to set up an in house presentation.
In addition, our services can assist with this
medical topic in the following ways:
Medical Chart Review: Identification
of pre-existing conditions, prescribed medications,
potential complications, and the treatment sought
for said complications.
Timeline Chronology: A timeline chronology
can provide a clear picture of how the use of
Vioxx affected your client.
Expert Witness Identification and Location
Medical Research: Applicable research
on the use and discontinuation of Vioxx
References
Prakash, Snigdha. Study: Health Risk Remains a
Year After Quitting Vioxx. Retrieved June 2006
from http://npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=540.
For more information on this issue please
see Contact Us
and see how our services can work for you.
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