Vioxx and Kidney Failure

Long-term use of NSAIDs such as Vioxx can interfere with the kidneys, especially in people with heart failure, poor kidney function, or liver problems. Kidney failure occurs when blood vessels leading to your kidneys become blocked. Damaged kidneys are unable to excrete sufficient amounts of waste and other toxic substances from the body, so the build up of waste material can literally poison the blood.

Research published in the International Urology and Nephrology journal reports acute renal failure due to treatment with COX-2 inhibitors. Other research warned that Vioxx and Celebrex carried the same risk of kidney damage as other medications used to treat pain.

In a 2002 study, the medical journal Drug Safety warned that "Physicians should be aware that serious or life-threatening renal failure has been reported in patients with normal or impaired renal function after short-term therapy with celecoxib (Celebrex) and rofecoxib (Vioxx)." In addition to the published reports, Merck, the manufacturer of Vioxx, has received reports of several cases of possible kidney failure associated with their drug.
 

Symptoms of kidney failure include:

• high blood pressure

• unexplained weight loss

• anemia

• nausea or vomiting

• fatigue

• decreased urination

• muscle twitches or cramps

• swelling in the legs, ankles, face, feet or hands

• intestinal bleeding

• yellowish-brown skin coloring

• itching

• metallic taste in mouth

• dizziness

• loss of concentration

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms after taking Vioxx.

If you or someone you know suffered kidney failure after taking Vioxx, call or e-mail our Dallas and Houston Vioxx-Kidney Failure attorneys at 1-800-683-8383 and find out your legal rights.