If you have taken Vioxx for five weeks or more and have had a heart attack or stroke. Please call 1-800-299-8878 or e-mail Attorney Philip DeBerard's office immediately.

People who are currently taking Vioxx should consult their health-care provider about whether they should continue to take Vioxx as part of their treatment and to obtain information on alternative treatments.

Inform your doctor if you develop abdominal pain, tenderness, or discomfort; nausea; blood in your vomit; bloody, black, or tarry stools; unexplained weight gain; swelling or water retention; fatigue or lethargy; a skin rash; itching; yellowing of your skin or eyes;"flu-like" symptoms; or unusual bruising or bleeding. These symptoms could be early signs of dangerous side effects of Vioxx.

Vioxx (rofecoxib) - Merck & Co., Inc. announced a voluntary withdrawal of Vioxx (rofecoxib) from the U.S. and worldwide market due to safety concerns of an increased risk of cardiovascular events (including heart attack and stroke) in patients on Vioxx.

Vioxx is a prescription COX-2 selective, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that was approved by FDA in May 1999 for the relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis, for the management of acute pain in adults, and for the treatment of menstrual symptoms. Vioxx was later approved for the relief of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in adults and children. More information on Vioxx from the FDA here.