A brief history of Vioxx

Vioxx is a branded name of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug called rofecoxib. It was developed by Merck & Co. for the treatment of osteoarthritis, conditions of acute pain, and dysmenorrhoea. Rofecoxib was also marketed under the brand names Ceoxx and Ceeoxx.

It was approved by the FDA in May 1999 and was widely used by physicians worldwide.

However, there were growing concerns that its use led to higher risk of heart attack, and Merck voluntarily withdrew it from the market.

It is estimated that Vioxx or the other brands had been prescribed to over 80 million people around the world and Merck had sales of about US$2.5 billion from Vioxx prior to its withdrawal.


See Rofecoxib.