Preliminary studies of the anti-inflammatory drug Vioxx, which has recently been pulled by Merck & Co., Inc., show that Vioxx may have had a direct link between the users of the drug and heart attacks, as well as strokes. Merck & Co., Inc., it is alleged, knew about the link and the high risk of strokes or heart attacks for takers of the drug, but still put it out on the market.
A stroke can injure the brain like a heart attack can injure the heart. Stroke is the result of cerebrovascular disease - disease of the blood vessels in the brain. Sudden lack of blood or a burst brain vessel can both cause strokes.
There are two types of stroke:
- Ischemic Stroke is the most common type of stroke. This type of stroke happens when there is a sudden lack of blood flow to some part of the brain, usually due to a blood clot blocking an artery or blood vessel. Often the artery is already clogged with fatty deposits (atherosclerosis).
- Hemorrhagic Stroke is categorized as any bleeding in the brain from a broken or leaking blood vessel causes this type of stroke. A hemorrhagic stroke may be due to an aneurysm—a thin or weak spot in an artery that balloons out and can burst.
An estimated 1.4 million individuals have been prescribed Vioxx to treat one of the following:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumetoid Arthritis
- Inflammation
- PMS
- Acute Pain
- Primary Dysmenorrhea
- Migraine Headache Attacks
If you or anyone you know has taken Vioxx and has experienced difficulties due to the drug, contact our vioxx lawyer and receive a free case evaluation.
|
