If you've taken the drug Vioxx in the past, you're understandably concerned about studies which show an increased risk of possible Vioxx induced stroke and heart attacks. Vioxx is an a anti-inflammatory medication, manufactured by Merck & Co. which was introduced to the market in May of 1999 to treat the symptoms of various medical conditions such as arthritis.
Vioxx is type of drug known as a selective COX 2 inhibitor, a class of drugs that inhibit COX-2 enzymes, which play a role in promoting pain and inflammation. These medications exert their effects without altering COX-1 enzymes which help to maintain the integrity of the stomach lining and prevent the gastrointestinal side effects seen with nonselective anti-inflammatory medications.
Because of the COX-2 inhibitory properties of these medications, they are effective in treating the pain and inflammation seen in a variety of conditions such as arthritis. Because they lack the COX-1 inhibition, these medications are seen as being gentler on the stomach and digestive tract, causing fewer side effects of ulcer, abdominal discomfort, heartburn, and bloating.
Unfortunately, the gastrointestinal protective effect of the COX 2 inhibitors such as Vioxx, comes at a price. Medical research studies performed on patients taking COX 2 inhibitors showed these patients have an increased risk of stroke and heart attack. As a result of these studies, Merck voluntarily removed Vioxx from the market in September of 2004 due to the Viox induced stroke and heart attack risk.
Does the risk of Vioxx associated stroke and heart disease continue even after the medication is stopped? It was initially assumed the harmful effects of Vioxx on stroke and heart attack risk were limited to the time the individual was taking the medication. This was felt to be secondary to the tendency of these drugs to increase the ability of platelets to aggregate and form a clot which could lead to a stroke or heart attack. New evidence suggests that Vioxx may cause permanent damage to the cardiovascular system by promoting a long term increase in blood pressure and by accelerating atherosclerosis.
Whether or not the harmful effects of Vioxx are short term or have longer term health ramifications is still unclear. More studies will be needed on the COX-2 inhibitors such as Vioxx to see if there is a risk of Vioxx induced stroke even after discontinuing the medication.
If you've taken Vioxx in the past, it'll be important that you be closely followed by your doctor, particularly if you have a prior history of heart disease or stroke. Future studies will, hopefully, clarify the exact role that Vioxx and other COX-2 inhibitors play in the role of promoting stroke and heart attacks.
Most interesting....
Thanks for sharing.