Vioxx (Rofecoxib) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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May 26, 2012

Vioxx

Osteoarthritis »

Osteoarthritis facts

Osteoarthritis is a joint inflammation that results from cartilage degeneration.
Osteoarthritis can be caused by aging, heredity, and injury from trauma or disease.
The most common symptom of osteoarthritis is pain in the affected joint(s) after repetitive use.
There is no blood test for the diagnosis of osteoarthritis.
The goal of treatment in osteoarthritis is to reduce joint pain and inflammation while improving and maintaining joint function.

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis that features the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage of one or more joints. Cartilage is a protein substance that serves as a "cushion" between the bones of the joints. Among the over 100 different types of arthritis conditions, osteoarthritis is the most common, affecting over 25 million people in the United Stat...

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Vioxx

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Please Note: This Brand Name drug is no longer available in the US.
(Generic versions may still be available.)

Vioxx®
(rofecoxib) Tablets
(rofecoxib) for Oral Suspension

DRUG DESCRIPTION

VIOXX^* (rofecoxib) is described chemically as 4-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-3-phenyl-2(5H)-furanone. It has the following chemical structure:

Rofecoxib is a white to off-white to light yellow powder. It is sparingly soluble in acetone, slightly soluble in methanol and isopropyl acetate, very slightly soluble in ethanol, practically insoluble in octanol, and insoluble in water. The empirical formula for rofecoxib is C₁₇H₁₄O₄S, and the molecular weight is 314.36.

Each tablet of VIOXX (rofecoxib) for oral administration contains either 12.5 mg, 25 mg, or 50 mg of rofecoxib and the following inactive ingredients: croscarmellose sodium, hydroxypropyl cellulose, lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and yellow ferric oxide. The 50 mg tablets also contain red ferric oxide.

Each 5 mL of the oral suspension contains either 12.5 or 25 mg of rofecoxib and the following inactive ingredients: citric acid (monohydrate), sodium citrate (dihydrate), sorbitol solution, strawberry flavor, xanthan gum, and purified water. Added as preservatives are sodium methylparaben 0.13% and sodium propylparaben 0.02%.

What are the possible side effects of rofecoxib (Vioxx)?

Notify your doctor immediately if you develop abdominal pain, tenderness, or discomfort; nausea; blood in your vomit; bloody, black, or tarry stools; unexplained weight gain; swelling or water retention; fatigue or lethargy; a skin rash; itching; yellowing of your skin or eyes;"flu-like" symptoms; or unusual bruising or bleeding. These symptoms could be early signs of dangerous side effects.

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking rofecoxib and seek medical treatment or contact your doctor immediately:

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Last reviewed on RxList: 12/28/2004
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.