Vioxx
Vioxx drug is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used in the treatment of generalized pain, As well as the treatment of inflammation and stiffness of arthritis.
Vioxx tablets, 12.5 mg, are cream/off-white, round, shallow cup tablets engraved MRK 74 on one side and Vioxx on the other.
information on the Vioxx tablets, 25 mg, are yellow, round tablets engraved MRK 110 on one side and Vioxx on the other.
information on the drug VIOXX tablets, 50 mg, are orange, round tablets engraved MRK 114 on one side and VIOXX on the other.
HOW DOES VIOXX WORK?
In the body, 2 enzymes are called COX-1 and COX-2. COX-1 helps regulate normal cell function in the stomach and blood. COX-2 plays a role in causing arthritis pain and inflammation by causing the release of specific compounds into the blood called cytokines. Cytokines are compounds that lead to pain and inflammation of joint tissue. Vioxx drug is a scientific breakthrough; the first product to target only the COX-2 enzyme. By inhibiting COX-2 those compounds that lead to inflammation and pain are inhibited from being released into the blood.
HOW EFFECTIVE IS VIOXX?
OSTEOARTHRITIS :
vioxx rofecoxib tablet was evaluated for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of Osteoarthritis of the knee and hip. The effectiveness of placebo (sugar pill) was compared with Vioxx pills treated patients in controlled clinical trials of 6 to 86 weeks duration that enrolled approximately 3900 patients. In patients with Osteoarthritis, treatment with Vioxx 12.5 mg package and 25 mg once daily resulted in an improvement in patient and physician assessments in Osteoarthritis severity taking into account joint pain, stiffness, and range of motion measures. In six studies of pain accompanying Osteoarthritis flare, Vioxx provided a significant reduction in joint pain at the first determination (after one week in one study, after two weeks in the remaining five studies); this continued for the duration of the studies. In all Osteoarthritis clinical studies, once daily treatment in the morning with Vioxx 12.5 and 25 mg was associated with a significant reduction in joint stiffness upon first awakening in the morning.
ANALGESIA AND DYSMENORRHEA :
In acute pain relief models of post-operative dental pain, post-orthopedic surgical pain, and primary dysmenorrhea, Vioxx relieved pain that was rated by patients as moderate to severe. In single-dose post-operative dental pain studies, the onset of analgesia with a single 50-mg dose of VIOXX occurred within 45 minutes.
HOW TO USE VIOXX DRUG:
You should continue to take Vioxx as writen in your Vioxx prescription even when you are feeling better. Vioxx can be taken with or without food. Vioxx capsules come in 3 strengths: 12.5 mg, 25mg , and 50mg.
In Osteoarthritis, the recommended VIOXX dose is 25 to 50 mg a day. Vioxx delivers 24-hour relief from a once-daily dose.
In analgesia and dysmenorrhea, the recommended dosage Vioxx is also 25 to 50 mg once a day. Vioxx provides relief through the day and through the night.
CAN I TAKE VIOXX IF I AM TAKING OTHER MEDICATIONS?
If you are one of the many people who take low-dose aspirin for the prevention of heart attack or stroke, you can still take Vioxx. However, taking Vioxx drug and aspirin together can increase your risk for developing stomach ulcers compared to taking Vioxx alone. Vioxxis not a substitute for aspirin for heart attack or stroke prevention.
CAN I TAKE VIOXX IF I AM PREGNANT?
In late pregnancy Vioxx should be avoided because it may cause problems in the final development of the heart in the fetus.
IS VIOXX DRUG A SUBSTITUTE FOR CORTICOSTEROIDS?
NO. Vioxx pill cannot be expected to substitute for corticosteroids or to treat corticosteroid insufficiency. Abrupt discontinuation of this medicine may lead to exacerbation of corticosteroid-responsive illness. Patients on prolonged corticosteroid therapy should have their therapy tapered slowly if a decision is made to discontinue this medication.
INCLUDE IN YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY/PERSONAL PROFILE :
- If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. VIOXX should not be used in late pregnancy because it may harm the fetus.
- If you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. It is not known whether Vioxx is passed through to human breast milk and what its effects could be on a nursing child.
- If you have kidney disease
- If you have liver disease
- If you have heart failure
- If you have high blood pressure
- If you have had an allergic reaction to aspirin or other NSAIDs
- If you have had a serious stomach problem (ulcers) in the past.
VIOXX DRUG INTERACTIONS :
Include on your medical history/personal profile all of the other medicines you are taking or plan to take while you are on Vioxx, even other medicines that you can get without a prescription. Vioxx has significant drug interactions with :
- Methotrexate (a medicine used to suppress the immune system).
- Warfarin (a blood thinner).
- Rifampin (an antibiotic).
- ACE inhibitors (medicines used for high blood pressure and heart failure).
- Lithium (a medicine used to treat a certain type of depression).
WARNINGS FOR VIOXX :
Do not take Vioxx drug if you :
- have had an allergic reaction such as asthma attacks, hives, or swelling of the throat and face to aspirin or other NSAIDs (for example, ibuprofen and naproxen).
- have had an allergic reaction to refecoxib, which is the active ingredient of Vioxx, or to any of its inactive ingredients.
Vioxx side effects:
SIDE EFFECTS OF VIOXX :
Serious but rare Vioxx side effects that have been online reported in patients taking Vioxx are delineated below :
- Serious stomach problems, such as stomach and intestinal bleeding, can occur with or without warning symptoms. These problems, if severe, could lead to hospitalization or death. Although this happens rarely, you should watch for signs that you may have this serious side effect.
- Serious allergic reactions including swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and/or throat which may cause difficulty breathing or swallowing and wheezing occur rarely but may require treatment right away. Severe skin reactions have also been reported.
- Serious kidney problems occur rarely, including acute kidney failure and worsening of chronic kidney failure.
- Severe liver problems, including hepatitis, jaundice and liver failure, occur rarely in patients taking NSAIDs, including VIOXX. Symptoms of liver problems include nausea, tiredness, itching, tenderness in the right upper abdomen, and flu-like symptoms.
In addition, the following side effects of Vioxx have been reported: anxiety, confusion, depression, hair loss, hallucinations, increased levels of potassium in the blood, low blood cell counts, palpitations, pancreatitis, tingling sensation, unusual headache with stiff neck (aseptic meningitis), vertigo.
Vioxx success stories:
Vioxx success story from ErinC
Vioxx has helped me i have fibro and i have been taking vioxx for about a year now. in addition to my fibro-related neck pain, i also have cervical arthritis, so my neck pain is pretty intense. before the vioxx the pain was there every day, all day long. since taking the vioxx the pain and stiffness in my neck have noticeably improved. i do still have days when my neck is very painful, but they occur a lot less often. when i first started taking it i got lots of canker sores, but that side effect went away after a couple weeks.
Vioxx success story from Knbowers
Vioxx works well for my fibromyalgia. It doesn’t bother my stomache or have any bad Vioxx side effects.
Vioxx success story from K12
I had been using vioxx drug for some time before I received my actual diagnoses. But I could sure tell you if I missed a vioxx dose. I realy helps with the pain in my hands and feet the most. It helps with other pain but as well, not as markedly. I have insurance that covers it , otherwise I could not afford it. I have not noticed any side effects and I have not noticed any lessening of vioxx effectivness.
