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The popular arthritis drug Vioxx is once again the subject of concern among heart specialists. A study conducted by Andrew Whelton, MD, of Universal Clinical Research Center in Maryland has shown that taking Vioxx in combination with high blood pressure medications will double the risk of heart attack.
Dr. Whelton''s study analyzed medical insurance claims from almost 35,000 arthritis patients to see if arthritis drugs increased the risk of heart attacks. The drugs studied included Celebrex, ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin, in addition to Vioxx.
After eliminating other factors that increase heart attack risks, such as history of heart problems and age of the patient, Vioxx was the only drug that increased the heart attack risk, although the risk was only significant among patients also on medication to treat high blood pressure.
The last time Vioxx was generating negative publicity was in 2001, when researchers at The Cleveland Clinic reported that patients taking Vioxx or another drug from the same family, Celebrex, were two times more likely to have a heart attack as were patients who took the arthritis drug naproxen. In 2002, the FDA required that the Vioxx label be changed to include information about the possible increase in the risk of heart attack.
Dr. Whelton presented his findings at the American College of Cardiology Scientific Session 2004. While he does not think that patients should avoid taking Vioxx, he does feel that doctors should carefully consider the use of Vioxx in patients who are simultaneously being treated for high blood pressure.