Arthritis Drugs Articles

Vioxx Research Biased, Journal Says

Two recent reports published by the Journal of the American Medical Association allege Merck & Co. misrepresented research conducted on its arthritis painkiller Vioxx.

Settlement Deadline Extended in Vioxx Lawsuit

Lawyers for individuals seeking early payment from the multi-billion dollar Vioxx settlement have been granted an extra month to submit their paperwork.

Vioxx Maker Agrees to Pay $650 Million to Resolve Allegations of Illegal Marketing

The U.S. Justice Department announced Thursday that pharmaceutical company Merck & Co. has agreed to pay over $650 million to settle claims that the drug maker paid illegal kickbacks to health care providers while defrauding federal health care programs.

Celebrex Suits May Suffer After Judge's Ruling

On Monday, a federal judge ruled to exclude certain experts from testifying on behalf of plaintiffs against the maker of the arthritis drug Celebrex.

Vioxx Maker to Pay $4.85 Billion Settlement

The maker of Vioxx announced Friday it will pay $4.85 billion to settle thousands of lawsuits claiming that the drug caused stroke and heart failure in many users.

Vioxx Users Argue for Medical Monitoring

The New Jersey Supreme Court will hear arguments today regarding a proposed class-action lawsuit concerning patients who took the arthritis drug Vioxx before it was recalled from shelves in September 2004.

Celebrex Kills Cancer?

A new study conducted at the University of Iowa shows that Celebrex aids in killing cancer cells.

Maker of Celebrex in Trouble Again

Five people in Madison County filed a 27-count complaint earlier this month alleging that they suffered heart attacks, strokes, and financial damages as a result of taking the pain-reliever Celebrex.

Heart Attack Victim Files Suit against Drug Manufacturer

A Madison County woman has filed suit against Pfizer, the maker of Bextra, alleging that she suffered a heart attack as a result of taking the drug for more than six months.

Vioxx Maker Seeks FDA Approval on New Arthritis Drug

Merck, the company responsible for manufacturing the controversial arthritis drug Vioxx, is seeking FDA approval on a new arthritis medicine called Arcoxia.

Consumer Group Calls Commercial for Arthritis Drug Misleading

A consumer advocacy group has asked that a new commercial for the arthritis medication Celebrex be banned because it downplays the risks of the drug.

Lawsuit Alleges Bextra Caused Woman's Heart Attack

A Madison County woman has filed a defective product lawsuit that alleges the Pfizer drug Bextra was responsible for a heart attack she suffered.

New Jersey Courts Clogged with Vioxx Cases

The burden of over 15,000 Vioxx cases is taking a toll on the Atlantic County Civil Courthouse, depleting available filing cabinets and jury pools simultaneously.

Court Opens Possibility of Class Action against Merck

Panel of judges overturns earlier decision, instructs lower court to reconsider potential for class-action suit by plaintiffs seeking to have tests for heart ailments paid for by the manufacturers of Vioxx.

FDA Approves Celebrex for Treatment of Juvenile Arthritis

Pfizer’s COX-2 inhibitor, the only of its type not withdrawn from the market for safety reasons, has been given the green light as a treatment for the painful childhood disease.

Texas Judge Upholds Vioxx Decision, Reduces Award

A Vioxx-litigation plaintiff received good and bad news recently as a Texas court upheld a previous ruling that found the company liable for her husband’s death, though it reduced the reward according to state law.

British Study May Reveal Root of Adverse Vioxx Side Effects

Researchers have discovered a previously undiscovered effect of COX-2 inhibitors that may explain the apparent increased risk of heart attack and stroke in patients taking Vioxx and other similar medications.

Quebec Judge Clears Way for Class-Action Suit against Merck

Quebec has become the first North American jurisdiction to allow a consumer class-action lawsuit against the maligned pharmaceutical company.

New Jersey Court System Strained by 14,000 Vioxx Cases

The Atlantic County court system is bogged down by the thousands of lawsuits filed against Merck & Co. in the pharmaceutical giant's home state of New Jersey.

Boston U. Study Finds Link Between Anti-Inflammatory Drug and Heart Attacks

According to researchers at the Boston Collaborative Drug Surveillance Program, a link has been discovered between the anti-inflammatory medication diclofenac and an increased risk of heart attacks.

New Jersey Judge Overturns Pro-Merck Verdict, Grants New Trial

In yet another setback for the makers of Vioxx, a New Jersey Superior Court judge recently ruled that evidence discovered since a November trial is sufficient to overturn the verdict issued in Merck's favor.

Jury Orders Vioxx Maker to Pay $51 Million to Heart Attack Victim

Last week a New Orleans jury ordered pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co. to pay $51 million to man who suffered a heart attack after taking the drug Vioxx.

California’s First Vioxx Trial Begins

Merck & Co. finds itself in the crosshairs of another Vioxx lawsuit as California’s first trial over the controversial painkiller gets underway on Tuesday.

Vioxx clinical trials are open to interpretation

Ever since the lawsuits started rolling in, Merck and their lawyers have maintained the assertion that the popular arthritis painkiller Vioxx was only dangerous to patients who took the drug for at least 18 months.

Celebrex ads return, accompanied by serious warnings

Pfizer has revamped and resumed their ad campaign for the controversial arthritis pain medication Celebrex, 16 months after the company voluntarily halted advertising.

FDA slow to respond to drug safety issues

WASHINGTON - In the midst of several of the nation's largest pharmaceutical lawsuits, the FDA has been slow to detect safety problems in drugs already on the market and in responding to potential dangers, a federal study concludes.

Jury verdict against Merck brings down stock, Dow Jones

U.S. stocks fell on Thursday amid disappointing March retail sales, high crude oil prices, and another legal setback for drug giant Merck & Co.

Merck suffers more legal woes in New Jersey Vioxx case

In another devastating blow to Merck, a New Jersey jury has determined that the company did not effectively warn patients of the dangers of the drug Vioxx, which resulted in the heart attack of John McDarby.

Merck ends defense with doctor's testimony

ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey - Merck & Co. finished up its defense in the latest of a string of Vioxx product liability trials with expert testimony from a psychiatrist.

Supplements Fail To Stop Arthritis Pain, Study Says

Two widely used nutritional supplements used to combat the ill effects of arthritis have been found to be ineffective, a large federal study says.

Prescription Drug Scandals Prompt New Legislation

SACRAMENTO, Calif.- In response to public outcry over recent prescription drugs scandals, California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG) and Senator Jack Scott (D-Altadena) have introduced legislation that would give the public unprecedented access to information on pharmaceutical clinical trials.

Federal Vioxx Retrial in Jury's Hands

New Orleans, La. -- Jurors began deliberations Friday in the retrial of the nation's first federal Vioxx court case, which previously resulted in a hung jury.

Pivotal Vioxx Trial Underway

Rio Grande City, TX -- The attorneys representing the family of Leonel Garza opened their case Wednesday, contending that the man's death was due to a heart attack caused by Merck's popular painkiller Vioxx.

Next Vioxx Court Case About to Begin

Rio Grande, Texas -- The nation's fourth Vioxx trial, pitting the family of Leonel Garza against pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co., is set to commence this week.

Merck Defense Team Rests Case in Vioxx Lawsuit

Atlantic City, New Jersey -- The defense attorneys representing Merck & Co. rested their case Thursday after presenting a final expert witness.

Judge Disallows Testimony by Merck Witness

Atlantic City, NJ -- The evidence presented by Merck & Co.'s first witness was thrown out Friday by the judge presiding over the nation's second Vioxx trial.

Plaintiff Rests Case in Vioxx Trial

Atlantic City, New Jersey -- The attorneys for the plaintiff rested their case in the civil product liability trial against Merck & Co. on Wednesday.

Plaintiff Testifies in New Jersey Vioxx Trial

Atlantic City, NJ -- Frederick "Mike" Humeston, a decorated Vietnam War veteran, took the stand Wednesday to testify against Merck & Co. in his lawsuit against the Vioxx manufacturer.

Former Merck Chief Scientist Feared Vioxx Side Effects

Atlantic City, NJ -- The former president of Merck Research Laboratories revealed concerns he had regarding the safety of Vioxx in a previously recorded deposition played in court yesterday.

Medical Expert Says Short-Term Vioxx Use Could Cause Heart Attack

Atlantic City, New Jersey -- A witness for the plaintiff in the case Humeston v. Merck & Co. testified Monday, contending that even one dose of Vioxx could be enough to trigger a heart attack

Opening Arguments Heard in New Jersey Vioxx Trial

Atlantic City, NJ -- Lawyers for plaintiff Mike Humeston and defendant Merck & Co. took turns presenting opening arguments during the nation's second Vioxx court case on Wednesday.

Vietnam Hero to Face Merck in Next Vioxx Trial

Trenton, New Jersey -- The nation's second Vioxx court case, brought by a decorated Vietnam War veteran, is set to begin September 12 in Atlantic City.

Merck May Settle Some Vioxx Lawsuits

A spokesman for Merck & Co. indicated that the pharmaceutical manufacturer would consider settling some of the pending Vioxx cases leveled against it.

Oregon Sues Vioxx Manufacturer

Portland, Oregon -- The State Treasurer sued Merck & Co., Inc. last week, alleging that the pharmaceutical giant failed to disclose risks associated with its popular painkiller Vioxx.

Widow Awarded $253 Million in Nation's First Vioxx Trial

Angleton, Texas -- A jury decided against Merck & Co. on Friday, ruling for the plaintiff in the United State's first Vioxx trial.

First Federal Vioxx Lawsuit Has November Court Date

Montgomery, Alabama -- A U.S. District Court judge announced that the first federal Vioxx Multi-district Litigation will go to trial in late November.

Iowan's Bextra Lawsuit Contains Nine Charges Against Pfizer

Fort Madison, Iowa -- The lawyer for Kenneth L. Peterson filed nine charges against Pfizer, Inc., the manufacturer of Bextra.

Frist Proposes Banning Pharmaceutical Advertising to Consumers

New York -- The Senate Majority Leader suggested that pharmaceutical companies voluntarily impose a two-year ban on direct-to-consumer advertising.

SEC Requests Documents on Bextra and Celebrex

Pfizer Inc. recently announced that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has requested documents and information on its painkillers Bextra and Celebrex.

New Jersey Judge Certifies Vioxx Class Action Suit

July 30 -- A State Superior Court Judge in New Jersey decided to certify a class action suit brought against Merck & Co. for damages associated with Vioxx.

Stroke Victim Sues Bextra Manufacturer

Des Moines, Iowa -- A man who was taking the Bextra for his arthritis suffered a stroke, and now he has filed a lawsuit against Pfizer, Inc., the manufacturer of the drug.

New Study Suggests Patients Should Stop Taking NSAIDS before Gum Surgery

A recent study suggests that patients should stop taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID'S) such as Ibuprofen and Celebrex, prior to having gum surgery.

New Celebrex Label Approved

The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has completed approval for label changes for the drug Celebrex.

Medical Expert Testifies Against Vioxx Manufacturer

On July 22, a doctor told a packed courtroom that he had resisted prescribing Vioxx to his patients because he did not believe the arthritis drug was safe.

First Vioxx trial may set precedent for ensuing lawsuits

The widow of Robert Ernst, a man who died from heart problems in 2001, blames Merck & Co. Inc. for his sudden death. Carol Ernst's lawsuit against the pharmaceutical company will be the first of thousands of Vioxx related cases to go to court.

European Medicines Agency recommends continued suspension of Bextra

On June 27, 2005, the European Union's drug agency recommended not lifting a suspension on Bextra, a painkilling drug produced by Pfizer, Inc.

Lawsuit claims Merck used animal tests to suggest Vioxx was safe

A physician's group filed a lawsuit on behalf of a Minnesota woman, claiming that Merck inappropriately used results from animal studies to counter evidence that Vioxx was harmful to humans.

Jury hears opening arguments in nation's first Vioxx trial

The first Vioxx case to go to court got underway in Angleton, Texas on Thursday, with both sides presenting opening arguments to jurors.

Jury selection process for first Vioxx trial begins

In Angleton, Texas, approximately 120 people filled out questionnaires to be considered for jury duty in the first Vioxx lawsuit to go to trial in the United States.

Texas State Attorney General files lawsuit against Merck & Co., Inc.

The state of Texas is suing the manufacturer of Vioxx, an arthritis medication that was recently recalled due to research indicating that it may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Fifty French plaintiffs join Vioxx lawsuit in US

Approximately 50 French citizens are joining a US lawsuit against Merck & Co., Inc. the manufacturer of Vioxx. The plaintiffs claim that they suffered heart problems while taking the prescription painkilling medication.

Merck's request to delay Vioxx trial declined

On Tuesday, July 5, a state district judge in Wharton, Texas refused to postpone the first Vioxx trial, as per the defense's request. Lawyers for Merck & Co., the pharmaceutical giant being sued in the wrongful death case, claimed that potential jurors would be biased because of publicity before the trial.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs May Lead To Urinary Retention

According to Dutch researchers, the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as Naproxen (Aleve), Celebrex and Ibuprofen may double the risk of acute urinary retention.

Clinical trials for treatment of lung cancer with Celebrex resume

Researchers at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston have resumed trials on the drug Celebrex. The trials will study the effectiveness of the drug in preventing lung cancer in former and current smokers.