Were there other warnings about Vioxx side effects and risks?
A 2000 study conducted by Merck (called Vioxx Gastrointestinal Outcomes Research – VIGOR) also found an increased risk of serious cardiovascular problems for patients taking Vioxx compared to those taking naproxen. Following the 2000 study, Merck began longer-term trials of Vioxx (1). Previous to the recall, the FDA called for changes on the labeling of Vioxx side effects to include information about the increased risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke (2). During the APPROVe trial, the FDA was also running studies on Vioxx. The FDA did not require the recall of Vioxx; it was done voluntarily by Merck. What health risks have studies found for other NSAIDs? Several of the recent studies and findings have prompted questions about the health risks and side effects of COX-2 inhibitors (e.g. Celebrex, Bextra) and other types of NSAIDs like naproxen (e.g. Aleve, Naprosyn). Important new updates include the following: • Celebrex side effects: A study by the National Can
