Vioxx trial update: “Just one day of Vioxx is risky”

“Intermittent use of Vioxx or even a day’s use of the painkiller could be enough to cause a heart attack, a prominent heart and medication expert testified Monday on behalf of a man who is suing the maker of the drug, claiming it caused his heart attack.

Vioxx breaks down so slowly in the body that it takes about 85 hours to clear out of the blood, testified Dr. Benedict Lucchesi, a professor at the University of Michigan who helped develop the first pacemaker.

‘Based on the science, there’s every reason to believe that a single dose, multiple doses, whatever, can lead to an adverse event,’ such as a heart attack or stroke, Lucchesi said.”

I’d like to see the data supporting that statement. (image via Mary Godleski/AP)