Rofecoxib (Systemic)

Brand Names : Vioxx

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

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of rofecoxib. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Alcohol abuse or
• Bleeding problems or
• Stomach ulcer or other stomach or intestinal problems
• Tobacco use (or recent history of) - The chance of side effects may be increased

• Anemia or
• Asthma or
• Dehydration or
• Fluid retention (swelling of feet or lower legs) or
• Heart disease or
• High blood pressure or
• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease - Rofecoxib may make these conditions worse