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VIOXX
VIOXX ONLINE
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine
must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision
you and your doctor will make. For rofecoxib, the following should
be considered:
Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever
had any unusual or allergic reaction to rofecoxib. Also tell your
health care professional if you are allergic to any other
substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy—Rofecoxib has not been studied in
pregnant women. However, there is a chance that this medicine may
cause unwanted effects on the heart or blood flow of the fetus or
newborn baby if it is taken regularly during the last few months
of pregnancy. Studies in animals have shown that rofecoxib has
caused birth defects of the spine. Before taking this medicine,
make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may
become pregnant.
Breast-feeding—It is not known whether
rofecoxib passes into breast milk. However, rofecoxib may cause
unwanted effects in nursing babies. It may be necessary for you to
take another medicine or stop breast-feeding during treatment. Be
sure you have discussed the risks and benefits of the medicine
with your doctor.
Children—Studies on this medicine have been
done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information
comparing the use of rofecoxib in children with use in older age
groups.
Older adults—This medicine has been tested
in a limited number of elderly patients 65 years of age and older
and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems
in older people than it does in younger adults.
Other medicines—Although certain medicines
should not be used together at all, in other cases two different
medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur.
In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other
precautions may be necessary. When you are taking rofecoxib, it is
especially important that your health care professional know if
you are taking any of the following:
 | Aspirin—The chance of serious side effects may be
increased |
| Lithium (e.g., Lithane)—Higher blood levels of lithium and
an increased chance of side effects may occur
| Rifampin—Lower blood levels of rofecoxib may occur |
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Proper Use of This Medicine
For safe and effective use of this medicine, do not take more
of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer
time than ordered by your health care professional. Taking too
much of this medicine may increase the chance of unwanted effects.
Dosing—
The dose of rofecoxib will be different for different patients.
Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label.
The following information includes only the average doses of
rofecoxib. If your dose is different, do not change it
unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The number of tablets or teaspoonfuls of suspension that you
take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number
of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and
the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical
problem for which you are taking rofecoxib.
| For oral dosage form (suspension, tablets):
| For osteoarthritis:
| Adults—12.5 to 25 milligrams (mg) once a day.
| Children—Use and dose must be determined by your
doctor. |
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| Pain or menstrual cramps:
| Adults—50 mg to start and 50 mg daily as needed
for up to five days.
| Children—Use and dose must be determined by your
doctor. |
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Missed dose—
If your health care professional has ordered you to take this
medicine according to a regular schedule, and you miss a dose,
take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for
your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular
dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage—
To store this medicine:
| Keep out of the reach of children.
| Store away from heat and direct light.
| Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in
other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to
break down.
| Keep the medicine from freezing. Do not refrigerate.
| Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of
children. |
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Precautions While Using This Medicine
If you will be taking this medicine for a long time, your
doctor should check your progress at regular visits.
Stomach problems may be more likely to occur if you drink
alcoholic beverages while being treated with this medicine.
Therefore, do not regularly drink alcoholic beverages while
taking this medicine, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Taking two or more of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
together on a regular basis may increase the chance of unwanted
effects. Also, taking acetaminophen, aspirin or other salicylates,
or ketorolac (e.g., Toradol) regularly while you are taking a
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug may increase the chance of
unwanted effects. The risk will depend on how much of each
medicine you take every day, and on how long you take the
medicines together. If your health care professional directs you
to take these medicines together on a regular basis, follow his or
her directions carefully. However, do not take acetaminophen
or aspirin or other salicylates together with this medicine for
more than a few days, and do not take any ketorolac (e.g., Toradol)
while taking this medicine, unless your doctor has directed you to
do so and is following your progress.
Serious side effects can occur during treatment with this
medicine. Sometimes serious side effects can occur without
warning. However, possible warning signs often occur, including
severe stomach pain, black tarry stools, and/or vomiting of blood
or material that looks like coffee grounds; skin rash; swelling of
the face, fingers, feet, and/or lower legs. Stop taking this
medicine and check with your doctor immediately if you notice any
of these warning signs.
Rofecoxib may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called
anaphylaxis. Although this is rare, it may occur often in patients
who are allergic to aspirin or other nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs. Anaphylaxis requires immediate
medical attention. The most serious signs of this reaction
are very fast or irregular breathing, gasping for breath,
wheezing, or fainting. Other signs may include changes in skin
color of the face; very fast but irregular heartbeat or pulse;
hive-like swellings on the skin; puffiness or swellings of the
eyelids or around the eyes. If these effects occur, get emergency
help at once. Ask someone to drive you to the nearest hospital
emergency room. Call an ambulance, lie down, cover yourself to
keep warm, and prop your feet higher than your head. Stay in that
position until help arrives.
Side Effects of This Medicine
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