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Vioxx is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is
used in the treatment of generalized pain, as well as the treatment
of inflammation and stiffness of arthritis.
Vioxx 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 tablets, 50 mg, are orange, round
tablets engraved MRK 114 on one side and Vioxx on the other.
| DRUG |
DOSAGE |
QUANTITY |
CONSULT |
PRICES |
|
 |
|
|
Vioxx |
25mg |
50 caps |
FREE |
198 |
Order |
| Vioxx |
25mg |
100 caps |
FREE |
394 |
Order |
|
Vioxx |
50mg |
50 caps |
FREE |
378 |
Order |
| Vioxx |
50mg |
100 caps |
FREE |
594 |
Order |
|
 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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 celecoxib, which is the active
ingredient of VIOXX any of its inactive ingredients.
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