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VIOXX® Health Risks - Pulmonary Embolism Pulmonary Embolism and Vioxx® Vioxx® is believed to reduce pain and inflammation by promoting the body's production of prostacyclin. Prostacyclin is a chemical that is believed to reduce pain and inflammation. However, researchers also believe that Cox-2 inhibitors like Vioxx® suppress the formation of an important chemical - prostaglandin I(2) - which is believed to have antithrombotic effects on the blood, i.e. preventing the formation of blood clots. By suppressing the formation of prostaglandin I(2), Vioxx® is believed to promote clotting and the formation of blood clots. This, in turn, increases the risk of thrombotic cardiovascular events - such as heart attack - thrombotic stroke, pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The suppression of anti-clotting agents by Vioxx® is believed to be associated with the development of pulmonary embolism in patients taking Vioxx®. Pulmonary embolism often occurs in the presence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition in which a thrombus, i.e. a blood clot attached to the wall of a blood vessel, forms in a deep vein, such as those located in the legs and lower abdomen. The biggest danger associated with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is that the clot, or a portion of it, may become dislodged and enter the bloodstream. When a blood clot enters the blood stream, it is referred to as an "embolus." If the embolus travels through the vein and is deposited in the lungs, this is called "pulmonary embolism." Vioxx® is believed to promote the formation of blood clots that can lead to pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism can create a blockage in the pulmonary artery, which is the pathway through which blood flows from the right side of the heart to the lungs. If the pulmonary artery becomes blocked, pressures inside the right side of the heart increase, forcing the heart to work harder to overcome the pressure and potentially resulting in right-sided heart failure, if left untreated, death. Vioxx®, because of its suppression of the body's natural defenses against blood clots, is believed to be associated with the development of deep vein thrombosis (DVt) and pulmonary embolism. If you or a loved one has taken Vioxx® and suffered a thrombotic cardiovascular event - such as a heart attack - or a stroke, or developed pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), please click here to learn about your legal options. Choose the state where you live to locate a Vioxx lawyer near you. |
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