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Vioxx Heart Attack and Stroke FAQs by Michael Monheit,
Esquire, Monheit Law, PC
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What are the grounds for Vioxx stroke or Celebrex
litigation?
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Vioxx and Celebrex were billed as safe alternatives
for people who suffer from chronic pain. In reality, they are expensive
drugs that for most people provide no better treatment than older, less
expensive medications. Far from having no side effects, these drugs share
many of the same side effects of older NSAID medications. Despite claims
to the contrary, new research has shown that patients who use these drugs
are at risk of Vioxx heart attacks, stroke problems, liver damage, kidney
damage, stomach ulcers, and other serious complications.
==
What has been done so far with regard to Vioxx heart attack
and Celebrex litigation?
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One class action suit has already been
filed. Others are pending.
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What options do I have if
I’ve been affected by Vioxx or Celebrex?
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You may qualify for
future class action litigation against these drug makers. You may also
have grounds for an individual suit for specific damages.
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What are the treatments for the disorders caused by
Vioxx and Celebrex?
==
Check with your doctor first. You may be able
to use another pain relief medication. Older NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and
naproxen work well for some patients. Other patients may not be able to
use these medications.
==
What are the dangers of Vioxx and
Celebrex? Vioxx:Heart Attacks
==
Stomach ulcers and intestinal
bleeding are the most common dangers. There is also a risk of Vioxx heart
attack and stroke.
==
Other side effects of these medications
include:
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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 these serious
side effects and tell your doctor immediately.
Serious allergic
reactions including swelling of face, lips, tongue, and/or throat which
may cause difficulty breathing or swallowing occur rarely but may require
treatment right away.
Serious kidney problems occur rarely, including
acute kidney failure and worsening of chronic kidney failure.
Severe
liver problems occur rarely in patients taking NSAIDs. 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.
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More common, non-life threatening, side effects include:
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· 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.
==
Which products contain Vioxx and
Celebrex?
==
There are no generic equivalents for these medications.
They are only sold as Vioxx and Celebrex.
==
Are there any
safer alternatives to Vioxx and Celebrex?
==
Older medications like
ibuprofen, naproxen, or even just an aspirin have been used as
alternatives for Vioxx and Celebrex.
==
What could have
been done to avoid the current Vioxx Heart Attack situation?
Several
things:
==
Adequate and more accurate testing prior to FDA approval
could have revealed the same risks, like Vioxx Heart Attacks, that became
known after the products were already on the market.
More
extensive research could have been done prior to the approval and release
of these drugs.
Advertising campaigns could have included more
accurate information about the true effectiveness of these products.
A concerted effort was made to switch patients from less expensive
prescriptions to these newer prescriptions which were much more expensive.
==
What are Vioxx and Celebrex and what are they used
for?
==
Vioxx and Celebrex are used to treat the chronic pain and
inflammation associated with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, acute
short-term pain, and for the treatment of severe menstrual pain. Although
the two medications are slightly different in their chemical composition,
Vioxx and Celebrex are both classified as COX-2 inhibitors and belong to a
larger group of drugs knows as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or
NSAIDs. Other NSAIDs include older medications like ibuprofen and
naproxen.
Serious problems, like Vioxx Heart Attacks, have been
associated with the long-term use of NSAIDs. Problems include bleeding
stomach ulcers, intestinal bleeding, Vioxx heart attack problems, and
damage to the liver and kidneys. These complications can occur with or
without warning symptoms. These problems, if severe, could lead to
hospitalization or death.
About the Author
Michael Monheit, Esquire is the managing attorney for Monheit Law. The
practice is focuses on plaintiff personal injury cases and Vioxx Lawyers
info can be found at Vioxx
Lawyer - Monheit Law
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