Rofecoxib is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (
NSAID) developed by
Merck & Co. to treat
osteoarthritis, acute
pain conditions, and
dysmenorrhoea. Rofecoxib was approved as safe and effective by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on
May 20,
1999 and was subsequently marketed under the brand name Vioxx, Ceoxx and Ceeoxx.
Rofecoxib gained widespread acceptance among physicians treating patients with arthritis and other conditions causing chronic or acute pain. Worldwide, over 80 million people were prescribed rofecoxib at some time.
On
September 30,
2004, Merck voluntarily withdrew rofecoxib from the market because of concerns about increased risk of heart attack and stroke associated with long-term, high-dosage use. Rofecoxib was one of the most widely used drugs ever to be withdrawn from the market.
In the year before withdrawal, Merck had sales revenue of US$2.5 billion from Vioxx. Vioxx was also withdrawn from the market, as was its successor
Prexige on August 14, 2007 due to causing severe
liver damage and 2 deaths.
Rofecoxib was available on
prescription as tablets and as an oral suspension.