Vioxx History: U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Vioxx in 1999 for the reduction of pain and inflammation caused by arthritis, as well as for acute pain in adults and for the treatment of menstrual pain. Vioxx has been marketed in more than 80 countries. In some countries, the painkiller is marketed under the name Ceoxx.
Vioxx usage: Merck estimates 105 million U.S. prescriptions were written for Vioxx from May 1999 through August 2004. The company believes that approximately 20 million patients are using Vioxx in the United States alone.
Worldwide sales of Vioxx in 2003 were $2.5 billion.
Vioxx was voluntarily recalled by Merck after a study showed a large increase in the heart attacks of patients using the drug. Anybody who was prescribed the drug should consult their physician and possibly a Vioxx lawyer if any injury was sustained. Lawsuits have been filed against the drug maker, with settlements surely to follow the legal procedings.