| What is Vioxx used for?
Vioxx is used to relieve:
- Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis
- Acute pain in adults
- Painful menstrual cycles.
Who should not take Vioxx?
You should not take Vioxx if you have experienced
asthma, hives, or allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin
or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). A few
examples of other NSAIDs are ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac,
nabumetone, and ketoprofen.
Special Warnings with Vioxx:
Serious problems from stomach ulcers, such as
bleeding, are well-known complications in people treated with
NSAIDs. Similar problems have occurred in people treated with
Vioxx, although very rarely. The likelihood of stomach problems
increases the longer you take drugs like Vioxx. However, even
short-term treatment is not without risk. These problems can
happen without any warning, but in some people may cause
symptoms such as gnawing or burning stomach pain, black or tarry
stools, or vomiting. If this happens, stop taking Vioxx and call
your health care provider right away.
Check with your health care provider. Vioxx may not be
right for you, if you:
- have had ulcers or stomach bleeding
- have had asthma, hives, or allergic-type reactions
after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs
- have severe kidney problems
- have severe liver problems
- are pregnant
General Precautions with Vioxx:
Do not stop taking any medications that you have been
prescribed without first talking to your doctor.
Serious problems such as liver damage have occurred in
people treated with NSAIDs. Some of the warning signs of liver
damage can be nausea, vomiting, fatigue, loss of appetite,
itching, yellow coloring of skin or eyes, "flu-like"
symptoms and dark urine. If you experience any of these
symptoms, call your health care provider right away.
Vioxx can cause your body to retain fluid and swell.
Your health care provider will decide if Vioxx is right for you,
if you:
- retain fluids
- have high blood pressure
- have heart failure
If you have asthma, you may have aspirin-sensitive
asthma. If an aspirin-sensitive asthmatic takes aspirin it can
cause severe narrowing of the airway (bronchospasm), and even
death. Since this type of reaction to aspirin and other NSAIDs
have occurred in aspirin-sensitive patients, Vioxx should not be
given to aspirin-sensitive patients.
The safety and effectiveness of Vioxx in patients
below the age of 18 years has not been determined.
What should I tell my doctor or health care
provider?
Tell your health care provider if you are trying to
become pregnant, are already pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
Because certain other medications can interact with
Vioxx, review all medications that you are taking with your
health care provider, including those that you take without a
prescription.
Your health care provider may have to adjust your dose
or monitor you more closely if you take:
- certain blood pressure medications called
ACE-inhibitors
- furosemide
- lithium
- methotrexate
- rifampin
- warfarin
- aspirin
Avoid taking Vioxx with antacids that contain calcium
carbonate and magnesium/aluminum combination products, because
they may reduce the amount of Vioxx your body absorbs.
What are some possible side effects of Vioxx? (This
is NOT a complete list of side effects reported
with Vioxx. Your health care provider can discuss with you a
more complete list of side effects.)
Side effects can include:
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Heartburn
- Swelling of the lower legs or feet
- High blood pressure
Rarely, serious ulcers have occurred in patients
taking Vioxx.
For more detailed information about Vioxx, ask your health
care provider. |
