On September 30, 2004, Merck and Co., Inc., announced its immediate worldwide withdrawal of Vioxx® (rofecoxib) from the market. Merck announced that it had taken this action voluntarily "based on new three year data from a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial…" Merck's own release states further that "there was an increased relative risk for confirmed cardiovascular (CV) events, such as heart attack and stroke, beginning after 18 months of treatment in the patients taking VIOXX compared to those taking placebo."
In its letter to patients taking VIOXX, Merck advises these patients that they "should contact their health care providers to discuss discontinuing use of VIOXX and possible alternative treatments." Additional information from Merck can be obtained by accessing www.merck.com or www.vioxx.com or by calling 1-888-368-4699.
Patients discontinuing Vioxx® may be candidates for other drugs in its class, the Cox-2 inhibitors, such as celecoxib (Celebrex®) or valdecoxib (Bextra®), or the Cox-2 selective agent, meloxicam (Mobic®). Some patients discontinuing Vioxx® may be appropriate candidates for older, non-specific, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, such as naproxen or ibuprofen, possibly in combination with additional medication to protect from ulcer, such as a strong acid inhibitor (for example, lansoprazole or misoprostol, which can protect the lining of the stomach).
Patients with prescriptions for Vioxx® should consult with their physicians regarding alternative medications and should follow Merck's instructions regarding returning unused medication.
Additional information about Vioxx, and its voluntary withdrawal from the market, may be obtained at the FDA website.
