1. If I have been taking Vioxx for a while, do I face greater risk of heart problems in the future?
2. Is it OK to stop taking Vioxx suddenly, or should people transition slowly?
3. What other drugs are similar to Vioxx?
4. What other drugs can people take in place of Vioxx?
5. Does Merck’s action suggest that other drugs in the same class are dangerous?
6. How do I make sure that I do not end up in the hands of a gold-digger Vioxx attorney?
7. How to pick a Vioxx attorney?
8. Should I get a cash advance against the Vioxx lawsuit settlement compensation that I may receive?
9. I have heard all kinds of rumors that class action lawsuits are about to be banned by President Bush or that awards will be limited or that I may not be able to file a lawsuit against Merck in the Vioxx recall case.  I am confused.  What should I do?
10. What should Bextra and Celebrex patients do after the recall of Vioxx and problems cited with these two drugs and Aleve?
11. Is there a pain relief medication guide that tells me exactly what I need to do.
12. What recommendations should be given to patients by doctors who are confused with the current environment in which it is known which drug is 100% safe?
13. How to find out if I have been hurt or not by Vioxx, Celebrex, or Bextra?

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1. If I have been taking Vioxx for a while, do I face greater risk of heart problems in the future?

It is difficult to say. Some patients have seen this result but you must consult with your doctor who can do appropriate tests to determine your condition.


2. Is it OK to stop taking Vioxx suddenly, or should people transition slowly?

Merck is asking you to stop taking Vioxx immediately. You must follow your doctor's advice on what drugs you should take going forward.

3. What other drugs are similar to Vioxx?

Vioxx is a COX-2 selective, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Other COX-2 selective NSAIDs on the market at this time are Celebrex (celecoxib) and Bextra (valdecoxib). Vioxx is also related to the nonselective NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen. You should consult your physician to determine which treatment is right for you.

4. What other drugs can people take in place of Vioxx?

Two other cox-2 inhibitors are sold in the United States - Celebrex and Bextra. Other NSAIDs available by prescription include sulindac, sold as Clinoril, and ketoprofen, sold as Orudis and Oruvail. Non-prescription NSAIDS include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol) and naproxen (Aleve). Please read our article on Vioxx alternatives for more choices.  (Related article:  Vioxx alternatives for pain relief.

5. Does Merck’s action suggest that other drugs in the same class are dangerous?

According to the FDA, "The results of clinical studies with one drug in a given class do not necessarily apply to other drugs in the same class. All of the NSAIDs have risks when taken chronically, especially of gastrointestinal (stomach) bleeding, but also liver and kidney toxicity. Patients using these drugs for a long period of time (longer than two weeks) should be under the care of a physician." 

6.  How do I make sure that I do not end up in the hands of a gold digger Vioxx attorney?

Please read our article on how to avoid gold-digger Vioxx attorneys.

7. How to pick a Vioxx attorney.

Please read our article on picking up Vioxx attorneys.

8. Should I get a cash advance against the Vioxx lawsuit settlement compensation that I may receive?

The answer varies according to your personal situation.  But it is best to understand the system and also to evaluate your options.  Read our helpful article on Vioxx lawsuit cash advance and another article on how to find cash in an emergency.

9. I have heard all kinds of rumors that class action lawsuits are about to be banned by President Bush or that awards will be limited or that I may not be able to file a lawsuit against Merck in the Vioxx recall case.  I am confused.  What should I do?

Indeed it is true that President Bush is calling for major changes in class action lawsuits and if everything goes according to plan, it will considerably limit the ability of Americans to sue drugmakeds who make drugs that kill.  But it is nothing is final yet.  Vioxx attorneys are working hard to fight these changes so that Vioxx victims can receive compensation.

10. What should Bextra and Celebrex patients do after the recall of Vioxx and problems cited with these two drugs and Aleve?

University of Michigan has provided an excellent guide on this topic.  Here are the next steps if you are/were a Celebrex or Bextra patient.

11. Is there a pain relief medication guide that tells me exactly what I need to do.

Yes.  University of Michigan doctors have put together a pain medication guide.

12. What recommendations should be given to patients by doctors who are confused with the current environment in which it is known which drug is 100% safe?

According to Mark Fendrick, M.D., a University of Michigan professor of internal medicine, "Patients with known coronary artery disease would probably benefit from discontinuing these medications with guidance from their physicians. If patients ask what is their risk of continuing to take the medication the FDA has previously stated that for rofecoxib "the risk that an individual patient [taking Vioxx] will suffer a heart attack or stroke related to the drug is very small." For patients with significant risk factors for coronary artery disease, we recommend that alternative medications be considered for their symptoms. Patients on valdecoxib (Bextra) or celecoxib (Celebrex) may either be switched to acetaminophen or a traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Acetaminophen, up to four grams daily, provides similar pain relief for many patients with osteoarthritis and should be considered before beginning an NSAID. If acetaminophen is not successful or an option then:

• If your patient is on or needs aspirin do not use a COX-2 agent as there is no additional safety benefit. Similarly, if a patient has increased risk for cardiovascular events do not use COX2 agents due to the recently reported increased incidence of cardiovascular events. We also recommend that you do not prescribe ibuprofen for patients requiring aspirin due to interference with aspirin's anti-platelet activity. Such patients may be prescribed naproxen. 
• If your patient is on a gastroprotective agent regularly (i.e., a proton pump inhibitor or misoprostol), consider using a traditional NSAID as RCT data show similar complication rates for a traditional NSAID + Gastroprotective agent as for a COX-2 inhibitor. 
• If your patient has a significant increased risk of a GI event (e.g., age > 60, past history of a gastric or duodenal ulcer, or on coumadin) and is not at increased risk for cardivascular events, then consider using a traditional NSAID with a gastroprotective agent, or a COX-2 agent if you and your patient believe this is the best option. Acetaminophen is still the safest choice for these high risk patients. 
• If your patient has a significant increased risk of a GI event and is at increased risk for cardiovascular events, then consider a traditional NSAID + gastroprotective agent or using other classes of medications (e.g., acetaminophen or low dose narcotics). 

13. How to find out if I have been hurt or not by Vioxx, Celebrex, or Bextra?

Please read our detailed article on the topic of using DNA testing to find out if you have been hurt by Vioxx/Celebrex/Bextra.

Related article:  Safe pain killer guide after Vioxx recall and controversy about Celebrex and Bextra