Defective Drug Lawyers – Lake Charles, Louisiana

Vioxx
Vioxx, or valdecoxib, is a COX-2 inhibitor that was commonly prescribed to people suffering from painful arthritis symptoms, and other types of acute pain, before it was recalled in September of 2004. COX-2 inhibitors are a sub-class of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.) COX-2 inhibitors, like Vioxx, allow the presence of COX-1 enzymes, which protect the stomach, and gained popularity by claiming to avoid the stomach discomfort and gastrointestinal complications associated with traditional NSAIDs. Initially, Vioxx sales shot through the roof, bolstered by a slick advertising campaign, but evidence began to surface, indicating that the drug was not as safe and helpful as expected.

In June of 2000 , results of the VIGOR (Vioxx Gastrointestinal Outcomes Research) study indicated heightened risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots. VIGOR compared Vioxx patients’ health to that of patients taking naproxen (Aleve,) and the alarming results were reported to the FDA, which turned to the Arthritis Advisory Committee for consultation. Discussions ensued in February, and in the fall of 2001, Merck & Co., manufacturer of Vioxx, received a warning letter from the FDA, which detailed Merck’s failure to adequately disclose the severe health risks posed by Vioxx in ad campaigns. In April of 2002, Vioxx labeling was updated to reflect increased chance of experiencing a severe cardiovascular event.

The fate of Vioxx was sealed in August of 2004, with the announcement of preliminary data comparing Kaiser Permanente patients taking Celebrex and Vioxx over the course of several years. The FDA-run study found that Vioxx was found causes three times the risk of sudden cardiac death or heart attack, compared to Celebrex, when taken for 18 months or longer. Merck voluntarily recalled Vioxx the following month.

If you or a loved one suffered cardiovascular damage as the result of taking Vioxx, please contact the defective drug attorneys at Baggett, McCall, Burgess & Watson – in Lake Charles, Louisiana – for a free case evaluation.

Premarin
Premarin is an estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) used to manage menopause symptoms and prevent osteoporosis in menopausal women. Premarin is derived from the urine of pregnant female horses, and is given to women who suffer from vaginal dryness, hot flashes, and other bothersome side effects of menopause. Wyeth has marketed the therapy for over 50 years, and Premarin is the most widely prescribed ERT on the market.

While Premarin enjoyed great popularity during the 1970s – an estimated 30 million prescriptions were written each year – studies began to emerge, linking ERTs with endometrial hyperplasia, a precursor to uterine cancer. Sales dropped sharply, but Wyeth aggressively promoted Premarin as safe and helpful when used in conjunction with progestins. While this combination may lessen women’s risk of developing endometrial hyperplasia, the combination of progestins and Premarin is not without its risks.

Premarin and progestins are taken together as Prempro, a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) that gained popularity in the mid-to-late 1990s. In 2002, results of a large Prempro study indicated increased risk of breast cancer, blood clots, strokes, and heart attacks. While Premarin and Prempro are both available, sales have dropped significantly since 2002. Unfortunately, for many women who used Premarin and Prempro, irreparable health damage is an unavoidable reality.