VIOXX pain relief tablets, 12.5 mg, are
cream/off-white, round, shallow cup tablets engraved MRK 74 on one side
and VIOXX on the other.
VIOXX tablets, 25 mg, are
yellow, round tablets engraved MRK 110 on one side and VIOXX on the
other.
VIOXX (arthritis pain relief) tablets, 50 mg, are
orange, round tablets engraved MRK 114 on one side and VIOXX on the
other.
HOW DOES VIOXX WORK?
In the body, 2 enzymes are called
COX-1 and COX-2. COX-1 helps regulate normal cell function in the stomach
and blood. COX-2 plays a role in causing arthritis pain and inflammation
by causing the release of specific compounds into the blood called
cytokines. Cytokines are compounds that lead to pain and inflammation of
joint tissue. VIOXX is a scientific breakthrough; the first product
to target only the COX-2 enzyme. By inhibiting COX-2 those compounds that
lead to inflammation and pain are inhibited from being released into the
blood.
[back to top]
HOW EFFECTIVE IS VIOXX?
OSTEOARTHRITIS:
VIOXX was evaluated for the
treatment of the signs and symptoms of Osteoarthritis of the knee
and hip. The effectiveness of placebo (sugar pill) was compared with
VIOXX treated patients in controlled clinical trials of 6 to 86
weeks duration that enrolled approximately 3900 patients. In patients with
Osteoarthritis, treatment with VIOXX 12.5 mg and 25 mg once
daily resulted in an improvement in patient and physician assessments in
Osteoarthritis severity taking into account joint pain, stiffness,
and range of motion measures. In six studies of pain accompanying
Osteoarthritis flare, VIOXX provided a significant reduction
in joint pain at the first determination (after one week in one study,
after two weeks in the remaining five studies); this continued for the
duration of the studies. In all Osteoarthritis clinical studies,
once daily treatment in the morning with VIOXX 12.5 and 25 mg was
associated with a significant reduction in joint stiffness upon first
awakening in the morning.
[back to top]
ANALGESIA AND DYSMENORRHEA:
In acute pain relief models of
post-operative dental pain, post-orthopedic surgical pain, and primary
dysmenorrhea, VIOXX relieved pain that was rated by patients as
moderate to severe. In single-dose post-operative dental pain studies, the
onset of analgesia with a single 50-mg dose of VIOXX occurred
within 45 minutes.
[back to top]
HOW TO USE THIS
MEDICATION:
You should continue to take
VIOXX as prescribed even when you are feeling better. VIOXX
can be taken with or without food. VIOXX capsules come in 3
strengths: 12.5, 25, and 50 mg.
In Osteoarthritis, the
recommended dose for VIOXX is 25 to 50 mg a day. VIOXX
delivers 24-hour relief from a once-daily dose.
In analgesia and dysmenorrhea, the
recommended dose for VIOXX is also 25 to 50 mg once a day. VIOXX
provides relief through the day and through the night.
[back to top]
CAN I TAKE VIOXX IF I AM TAKING OTHER MEDICATIONS?
If you are one of the many people
who take low-dose aspirin for the prevention of heart attack or stroke,
you can still take VIOXX. However, taking VIOXX and aspirin
together can increase your risk for developing stomach ulcers compared to
taking VIOXX alone. VIOXX is not a substitute for aspirin
for heart attack or stroke prevention.
[back to top]
CAN I TAKE VIOXX IF I AM PREGNANT?
In late pregnancy VIOXX
should be avoided because it may cause problems in the final development
of the heart in the fetus.
[back to top]
IS VIOXX A SUBSTITUTE FOR CORTICOSTEROIDS?
NO. VIOXX cannot be
expected to substitute for corticosteroids or to treat corticosteroid
insufficiency. Abrupt discontinuation of this medicine may lead to
exacerbation of corticosteroid-responsive illness. Patients on prolonged
corticosteroid therapy should have their therapy tapered slowly if a
decision is made to discontinue this medication.
[back to top]
INCLUDE IN YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY/PERSONAL PROFILE:
- If you are pregnant or plan to
become pregnant. VIOXX should not be used in late pregnancy because
it may harm the fetus.
- If you are breast-feeding or
plan to breast-feed. It is not known whether VIOXX is passed
through to human breast milk and what its effects could be on a nursing
child.
- If you have kidney disease
- If you have liver disease
- If you have heart failure
- If you have high blood pressure
- If you have had an allergic
reaction to aspirin or other NSAIDs
- If you have had a serious
stomach problem (ulcers) in the past.
[back to top]
DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Include on your medical
history/personal profile all of the other medicines you are taking or plan
to take while you are on VIOXX, even other medicines that you can
get without a prescription. VIOXX has significant drug interactions
with:
- Methotrexate (a medicine used to suppress the immune system).
- Warfarin (a blood thinner).
- Rifampin (an antibiotic).
- ACE inhibitors (medicines used
for high blood pressure and heart failure).
- Lithium (a medicine used to
treat a certain type of depression).
[back to top]
ADVERSE REACTIONS:
Serious but rare side effects that
have been reported in patients taking VIOXX are delineated below:
- 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 this serious side effect.
- Serious allergic reactions
including swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and/or throat which may
cause difficulty breathing or swallowing and wheezing occur rarely but may
require treatment right away. Severe skin reactions have also been
reported.
- Serious kidney problems occur
rarely, including acute kidney failure and worsening of chronic kidney
failure.
- Severe liver problems, including
hepatitis, jaundice and liver failure, occur rarely in patients taking
NSAIDs, including VIOXX. Symptoms of liver problems include nausea,
tiredness, itching, tenderness in the right upper abdomen, and flu-like
symptoms.
In addition, the following side
effects have been reported: anxiety, confusion, depression, hair loss,
hallucinations, increased levels of potassium in the blood, low blood cell
counts, palpitations, pancreatitis, tingling sensation, unusual headache
with stiff neck (aseptic meningitis), vertigo.
[back to top]
WARNINGS:
Do not take VIOXX if you:
- have had an allergic reaction
such as asthma attacks, hives, or swelling of the throat and face to
aspirin or other NSAIDs (for example, ibuprofen and naproxen).
- have
had an allergic reaction to refecoxib, which is the active ingredient of
VIOXX, or to any of its inactive ingredients.
Buy Vioxx online for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis pain relief treatment.
Buy Online Prescription Drugs
