The Drug That Was Vioxx


Want a new cure for your illness? Think again. We have enough drugs to give us more than just headaches. Some drugs will not reveal its true and long term effect until you start to feel it more often.

We all know that drugs have side effects. How can it cure one part of your body without affecting the other parts? Drugs that are swallowed do not target only the part they are intended to cure. They are transported by our blood so they can go anywhere inside our body. We should be more aware of the drugs that relieve us of certain ailments but can cause us a more complicated disease in the future.

Are you familiar with Vioxx? It has been on the headlines for days. This controversial drug was used by about two million people worldwide.

Vioxx is prescribed to relieve osteoarthritis, rheumatic arthritis and acute pain. Produced by Merck & Co., it comes in a liquid and pill form. It is a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). NSAIDs refer to drugs with analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects, which reduce pain, fever and inflammation, such as muscle strain or sprain. They are sometimes called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents or NSAIAs. Examples of which are aspirin and ibuprofen.

Vioxx also belongs to a class of drugs called COX-2 (cyclooxygenase) inhibitors. Cyclooxygenase is an enzyme that controls inflammation. The Vioxx works by blocking COX-2 enzymes in the body that trigger pain and inflammation. COX-2 has been a major source of relief from arthritis pain, which afflicts tens of millions of people in the world.

In 2002, the company received complaints regarding their product. Market studies confirmed that Vioxx raises the risks of serious cardiovascular events including heart attacks and strokes, as well as other life-threatening side effects, such as, blood clots, angina and nonbacterial meningitis, severe intestinal damage, ulcerations and bleeding, and kidney damage. Other minor side effects include flu symptoms, weakness, loss of appetite, rash or pail skin, swelling of hand feet and other extremities.

It was not until September 30, 2004 that Merck officially announced of voluntary recall of Vioxx from all markets worldwide.

So, here is a lesson we have to learn. We can not trust any drug, even if it is produced by leading companies. You will never know what it is going to cause you. Always ask for a doctor’s prescription. Learn from experience and do not just go for new things that come your way. It’s very risky, especially if it concerns your health.

About The Author

Blur Loterina

You may wonder why I write articles. Besides from the fact that it’s my job, I used to write short stories when I was younger. I think it would be helpful if I said I’m a big fan of Zach de la Rocha and Rage Against the Machine. This would explain my own views about a lot of things. Their songs were about national issues, politics and human rights. They support the American Indian Movement and Che Guevara, the face you see on t-shirts. Not that it concerns me. I only like their music and idealism.

I like to read anything that contains words in the old English form, though I can’t understand it. You know, the King James Version of the Bible with words like thou, thy, thine, wilst, etc. The words used are different. The construction of the sentence is different, too, which makes sentences sound artistic. I also like gothic metal, a music genre, because most of the lyrics contain such words. It is not only the words that fascinate me; it’s the hidden meaning it contains. It’s like an abstract painting; you don’t get the real picture until you see through it.

I’m not an artist, I’m not a poet. I just love writing anything I want. I wasn’t born a genius, I just want to know and understand something I don’t. I like to find the difference between similar things. It’s like counting birthmarks on each identical twin.

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