Good Riddance to a Bad Drug (Vioxx)

NY Times ^ | October 2, 2004 | ERIC J. TOPOL

[Born Conservative]

In less than 48 hours after the news broke about Vioxx, a local lawyer scum already had an ad in the newspaper soliciting Vioxx patients for the litigation lottery.

Was it Arlen Specter's son?

[neverdem]

Rumor has it that Celebrex and Bextra will soon be withdrawn from the market; VERY soon.

They could all become orphan drugs with patients signing an informed consent form.

[Born Conservative]

I heard from several different pharmacists today that they are planning on taking both remaining Cox 2 inhibitors off of the market. I haven't seen it in print yet, but I would not be surprised that it would happen.

The majority of studies have shown that Cox 2's are no more effective in treating pain and inflammation than traditional NSAIDS. If/when they are pulled, check with your physician; there should be something available that will treat your back problem just as well.

[Aquinasfan]

Thank God for the internet and pharmaceutical companies. Without it, I would not have been able to diagnose my arthritis, which was missed and misdiagnosed by several doctors.

I was also able to learn about the latest arthritis treatments on-line, and am now enjoying much better health. Before beginning treatment with Remicade, I had attacks that were so severe that I couldn't even breath without experiencing agonizing pain. Today I can chop wood and play soccer, thanks to an evil pharmaceutical company.

[neverdem]

Was it Arlen Specter's son?

Specter has White House support, but son's law firm backs Democrats for president.

Yes, it was Arlen Specter's son, good for Arlen! Too bad Bush backed Arlen in the primary. The SOB's son also sued Daisy.

From your link: The Mahoney case, and Specter's investigation of the gun, resulted in an exposé on the ABC program 20/20 featuring Specter and led the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to seek the recall of 7.4 million defective Daisy BB guns.

[Aquinasfan]

People do not realize the absolute agony of back problems and other arthritic/orthopedic conditions.

Nope. Been there.

[Aquinasfan]

the recommended Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin) thickens the blood just like Vioxx, I am told.

It can also do a job on your kidneys.

[KC_Conspirator]

Bull$hit. Vioxx was a great drug. I am waiting for the NY Times now to run an article lauding the vampire trial lawyers who are going to sue Merck now.

[oyez]

Bextra was a complete fail;ure for me.

[neverdem]

"the recommended Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin) thickens the blood just like Vioxx, I am told."

Please look at comments# 31 & 34. CAD is Coronary Artery Disease.

It can also do a job on your kidneys.

That is true, like all of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs.

[Ciexyz]

It can also do a job on your kidneys.

That's why regular medical checkups are vital for people who are on these drugs. It's a crap shoot--what chances are you willing to take to relieve your pain?

[FormerACLUmember]

i have several people tell me of the terror they feel with Vioxx removed by the trial lawyer mafia. These are folks for whom nothing works except Vioxx.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Is it possible that some regimen could be devised, administering some other drug along with the Vioxx, to neutralize the alleged higher cardiac risk. Such as very low dose aspirin. I would hate to see it go away forever. I had taken it briefly for back problems as well as for post operative pain. It worked wonderfully, and without tearing up my stomach like a sufficient dose of naproxen does.

[FormerACLUmember]

There probably are simple strategies that would eliminate the slight blood thickening property of Vioxx, to prevent the equally slight increased risk of thromophlebosis (MI).

We will never know due to the corrupt litigation lottery judiciary and trial lawyer mafia that runs our lives.

[FormerACLUmember]

thromophlebosis = thrombosis

Major dyslexia

[HiTech RedNeck]

What is this "thickening" effect supposed to be anyhow? A shorter clotting time, or something more sinister? On one of the other threads there's a guy complaining that Vioxx made his blood pressure and cholesterol shoot up -- WAY up -- and when he quit the Vioxx the problems didn't go away. I am not even a biologist let alone a doctor, but as an engineer I look at this and say hmm, they must have been making Vioxx at the Armour Star lard plant?

[FormerACLUmember]

What is this "thickening" effect supposed to be anyhow?

Answer: a slightly shorter clotting time.

Vioxx absolutely does not raise cholesterol. And I do not believe the Vioxx was in any way responsible for any alleged blood pressure problem.

[SC DOC]

You may want to ask your doctor about the 3-fold increase in risk of lymphoma with Remicade use.

[NJ_Tom]

Merck discovered that 3.5 percent of patients taking Vioxx suffered heart attacks or strokes as against 1.9 percent taking a placebo.

I wonder how well they supervised the control group to keep them from taking aspirin? I would imagine anyone not obtaining pain relief from a "placebo effect" would head for the Bufferin bottle. For that matter, how about using a combined drug regimen -- take an aspirin every time you take a Vioxx?

[neverdem]

Check comments# 31 & 34