BALTIMORE, Dec. 7, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Law Offices Of Charles J. Piven, P.A. today announced that drug manufacturer Merck & Co. has pulled its best-selling arthritis drug Vioxx off the market, based on data indicating that the drug increases the risk of heart attack and stroke among users. A December 2004 Forbes article stated that Merck's Vioxx liability for claims and lawsuits could reach $38 Billion and the average heart attack settlement could be $650,000. In addition to heart attacks and strokes, Vioxx has also been associated with several other life-threatening and/or serious side effects, including blood clots, angina, nonbacterial meningitis, severe intestinal damage, ulcerations, bleeding, and kidney damage. Those who believe they may have been harmed in any of these or in other ways from the use of Vioxx may also have the opportunity to recover for injuries that can be determined to have been caused by taking Vioxx. Law Offices Of Charles J. Piven, P.A. is working with other attorneys to file cases against Merck in courts where we believe there is a good opportunity for recovery; however, there is no guarantee what will occur in any particular case for a particular client.
Though Merck's announcement of the voluntary worldwide withdrawal comes after a three-year colon cancer clinical trial that showed an increased risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular complications 18 months after patients started taking Vioxx, we believe that patients who have injuries such as those associated with Vioxx, stated above, and who have taken Vioxx for as short a period as several weeks may have valid claims.
Vioxx, approved in June 1999, is a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug and is in a class of drugs commonly referred to as Cox-2 Inhibitors. Cox-2 Inhibitors include Vioxx, Celebrex and Bextra. Vioxx came in liquid or pill form and was manufactured by Merck & Co. Vioxx was prescribed to relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal pain. Vioxx was also used to treat acute pain in adults such as those patients who experience severe pain associated with menstruation. Vioxx worked by blocking COX-2 enzymes in the body that trigger pain and inflammation. There are questions as to when Merck was first made aware that fatal side effects were associated with Vioxx and whether the company failed to inform public health authorities of these side effects in a timely manner. Though Merck extensively marketed Vioxx as safe and effective, allegations have been made that Merck did so while minimizing the risks associated with Vioxx.
If you or a loved one has suffered from the dangerous side effects of Vioxx and you want to discuss your legal rights, you may e-mail or call Law Offices Of Charles J. Piven, P.A. who will, without obligation or cost, attempt to answer your questions and/or evaluate potential claims against Merck relating to Vioxx. Charles J. Piven has been involved in litigation representing plaintiffs for over 25 years. You may contact Law Offices Of Charles J. Piven, P.A. at The World Trade Center-Baltimore, 401 East Pratt Street, Suite 2525, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, by email at piven@pivenlaw.com or by calling 410/986-0037.