Vioxx was voluntarily withdrawn from the U.S. market on September 30, 2004 by manufacturer Merck.  The Vioxx market withdrawal was in answer to studies indicating a higher risk of cardiovascular event in regular users of Vioxx.

A study on Vioxx (VIGOR study) was published in 2000.  It indicated a 4 times increase of risk of heart attack or stroke in Vioxx (rofecoxib) patients compared to patients taking naproxen over a 1 year period.  Merck's researchers concluded the findings of the study showed a protective effect of naproxen in reducing heart attacks in high cardiovascular risk patients.

Merck commenced a study (APPROVe study) in 2001 to evaluate the effects of Vioxx on colorectal polyps.  The study also intended to further evaluate the cardiovascular risk of Vioxx.  The study was ended early when results showed patients taking Vioxx were at increased risk of cardiovascular risk compared to patients taking a placebo after 18 months on the therapy.

Merck voluntarily withdrew Vioxx from the market on September 30, 2004 after the APPROVe study was ended early.  In the same month, the FDA also provided Merck with new research that further supported increased risk of heart attack among Vioxx users.

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Vioxx Market Withdrawal News
GN News

• Blackwell On Health: Vioxx Suit Settled For 37M National Post Blog
National Post blogBlackwell on Health: Vioxx suit settled for 37MNational Post blogIn an era of growing caution around prescription medication and the claims made for them, the withdrawal of Vioxx from the market in 2004 remains the most spectacular drug safety case. Now, a Canadian class action lawsuit against Merck, Regina woman relieved over Vioxx settlementGlobal Reginaall 229 news articles raquo
• Merck: Making Money The Hard Way IRA
Merck: Making Money The Hard WayIRAMerck knows this experience all too well as a result of the voluntary withdrawal of its anti inflammatory drug Vioxx in 2004. Vioxx was introduced in 1999 and performed well for 80 million pain suffers until Vioxx was linked to increased risk of stroke and more raquo
• Privacy In The Age Of Big Data Stanford Law Review Online
Privacy in the Age of Big DataStanford Law Review OnlineFor example, the discovery of Vioxx39s adverse effects, which led to its withdrawal from the market, was made possible by the analysis of clinical and cost data collected by Kaiser Permanente, a California based managed care consortium.and more raquo
• Faulty Breast Implants, Dodgy Drugs And A Watchdog Thataposs Failing Patients...
Daily MailFaulty breast implants, dodgy drugs and a watchdog that39s failing patientsDaily MailThis was withdrawn from the market in the UK four years ago, but only after a 2004 US study found it doubled the risk of heart disease. Leading cardiologists had been flagging up the risks for years. After Vioxx39s withdrawal it emerged that data from and more raquo
• In Bed With Big Pharma Industry Liaisons Raise Questions At The FDA Project ...
In Bed with Big Pharma Industry Liaisons Raise Questions at the FDAProject on Government Oversight blogA no vote would have damaged sales and made likely their withdrawal from the US market, where they had become two of America39s best selling oral contraceptives. Two other panel members, including the chair, had prior ties to Bayer which they denied and more raquo