Vioxx is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammagory drug (NSAID) that reduces inflammation, pain, fever, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis stiffness, and menstrual pain. However, Vioxx has been shown to cause blood clots, heart attacks, stroke, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, kidney damage and other dangerous and potentially deadly side effects.
Lawsuits are being filed against Merck, the manufacturer of Vioxx, for product liability. The claim is that Merck knew the dangers of Vioxx and marketed it anyway. In drug product liability lawsuits, the prosecution must prove that Merck didn’t provide for the safety of the patient and that they were harmed as a direct result from taking Vioxx and from Merck’s negligence. Sometimes drug companies that wish to avoid public scrutiny will settle outside of court, but they will sometimes lengthen the trial to force the plaintiff into agreeing to their settlement.
For patients who have thankfully not yet experienced these dangerous and potentially fatal side effects of Vioxx, you should still be careful in taking the drug and notify your doctor immediately if you notice any of these side effects:
* difficulty breathing
* swelling of the lips, tongue, gums
* abdominal pain
* bloody excrement including vomit
* nausea
* heartburn
* unusual weight gain
* unusual fatigue
* skin rash, blistering, burning, sloughing off
* jaundicing (yellowing) of skin or eyes
* flu-like symptoms
* dizziness
* diarrhea
* eye “stickiness”
* vision impairment
* effects to nail beds
* any allergic type reaction
http://www.hugesettlements.com/articles/vioxx-lawyer.htm
