New Study Finds Vioxx Increases Risk of Heart Attack

A study recently published in the May 4 issue of Circulation found that users of the arthritis drug Vioxx were at a 24 percent increased risk of heart attack compared to those who take Celebrex or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

The study, which was conducted by researchers at Harvard Medical School's Brigham and Women's Hospital, also found that the increased risk of acute myocardial infarctions (AMI) occurred within the first 90 days of use with dosages greater than 25 mg.

The results were similar to those found in the Vioxx Gastrointestinal Outcomes Research (VIGOR) study, which was designed to …