Vioxx is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) known as a COX-2 inhibitor used to relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis and to treat pain and menstrual discomfort. VIOXX is designed to suppress the COX 2 enzymes that cause pain and inflammation, without affecting the COX 1 enzymes that protect your stomach lining. The active ingredient in VIOXX is rofecoxib.
How it’s Used: Taken orally in the form of a pill.
Effects: The human body produces two enzymes 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. Vioxx is one of the few products that targets only the COX-2 enzyme.
Side Effects
Serious but rare side effects that have been reported in patients taking Vioxx and/or related medicines have included: Rare but 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, Heart attacks and similar serious events have been reported in patients taking Vioxx.
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. Tell your doctor if you develop symptoms of liver problems. These include nausea, tiredness, itching, tenderness in the right upper abdomen, and flu-like symptoms. In addition, the following side effects have been reported: anxiety, blurred vision, confusion, decreased levels of sodium in the blood, depression, fluid in the lungs, hair loss, hallucinations, increased levels of potassium in the blood, insomnia, low blood cell counts, palpitations, pancreatitis, severe increase in blood pressure, tingling sensation, unusual headache with stiff neck (aseptic meningitis), vertigo.
More common, but less serious side effects reported with Vioxx have included the following: Upper and/or lower respiratory infection and/or inflammation, headache, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea and/or vomiting, heartburn, stomach pain and upset, swelling of the legs and/or feet, high blood pressure, back pain, tiredness, urinary tract infection. The side effects described above do not include all of the side effects reported with Vioxx.
Remedies
Here are some sites that offer remedies for drugs including Vioxx.
- DrugHelp.org is a private, non-profit information and referral network providing information on specific drugs and treatment options, and referrals to public and private treatment programs, self-help groups, family support groups and crisis centers throughout the United States.
- Narconon Drug Rehabilitation and Treatment for Addiction. High success rate. Offers Narconon Drug Prevention and Education Services.
- Church Of Scientology International Drug Solutions presents information on effective drug education, drug prevention and drug rehabilitation.
- Drug Education Council offers ways to prevent drug abuse and become better informed about current local and national community awareness efforts.
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