Health Buzz: Study Says Vioxx Risks Were Apparent Early and Other Health News
Breast cancer risk not so easy to gauge; Thanksgiving meal tips for people with diabetes or allergies.
December 17, 2009
Cardiologist Clears Vioxx in Man's Death
ANGLETON, Texas (AP) - A cardiologist testifying Friday ruled out Vioxx as the cause of a Texas man's death who took the once-popular painkiller for eight months, citing the lack of evidence of a heart attack or blood clot in the autopsy.Dr. Craig Pratt, director of research at the Methodist DeBakey Heart Center in Houston, said the autopsy of 59-year-old Robert Ernst "speaks for itself,"
FDA Nixes Vioxx-Like Pain Drug
The FDA has nixed the approval bid for the Vioxx-like osteoarthritis drug Arcoxia. Merck will keep selling Arcoxia in 63 other countries.
Vioxx Might Increase Cardiovascular Side Effects
Researchers for the drugmaker privately raised concerns back in 2000 that Vioxx might increase cardiovascular side effects. Those concerns were being raised even as Merck was downplaying a study that highlighted the pain relief medication's potential heart attack risk.
