Vioxx vs. Rofecoxib
The information contained in the Vioxx Advisor applies to all forms of the drug rofecoxib, which was manufactured under the names Vioxx, Ceoxx, and Ceeoxx. According to the FDA, generic drugs are identical to their name-brand versions in dosage, method of administration, effectiveness, safety, and active ingredient.
What is Vioxx?
Vioxx (manufactured as Ceoxx outside the US) is the brand name of the pain treatment drug rofecoxib, and was released by Merck & Co., Inc. in 1999. Vioxx was prescribed and marketed as a “super-aspirin” for patients suffering from osteoarthritis and other chronic and acute pain conditions. Vioxx was one of a class of drugs called NSAIDs, or Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs.
Vioxx was designed to provide pain relief with a lower risk of peptic ulcer than is associated with traditional NSAIDs such as aspirin. After it was discovered that Vioxx was associated with severe cardiovascular complications, the medication was withdrawn from the worldwide market in 2004.
Chemistry of Vioxx
Chemical Formula of Vioxx: C17H14O4S
Nomenclature: 4-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-3-phenyl-2-(5H)-furanone
Note: Vioxx contains sulfur (represented by the “S” in the chemical formula above), a common allergen contained in sulfonamides. Because Vioxx is not technically considered a sulfonamide drug, many patients with sulfur sensitivity suffered allergic reactions after being prescribed Vioxx for pain.
Definition of NSAIDs
NSAID is the common name of a class of drugs called Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. NSAIDs are prescribed for pain, fever, and swelling. All NSAIDs alleviate pain by reducing inflammation. Specifically, NSAIDs work by inhibiting the body’s formation of a chemical called prostaglandin, which is found in the blood, stomach, and kidneys. Prostaglandin has multiple functions within the body, and there are different types of prostaglandin.
Vioxx is a Selective COX-2 Inhibitor
Within the class of drugs known as NSAIDs, Vioxx is a specific type of NSAID called a COX-2 inhibitor. Traditional NSAIDs are associated with a high incidence of gastrointestinal and/or digestive side effects, including potentially-fatal peptic ulcers, whereas the subclass of NSAIDs known as COX-2 inhibitors are associated with an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. For chronic pain sufferers, like those coping with osteoarthritis, the struggle to find a safe and effective pain medication without side effects is ongoing.
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