<unk>  /ˌrɒf[invalid input: 'ɨ']ˈkɒksɪb/ is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that has now been withdrawn over safety concerns. It was marketed by Merck & Co. to treat osteoarthritis, acute pain conditions, and dysmenorrhoea.<unk>  was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on May 20, 1999, and was marketed under the brand names Vioxx, Ceoxx, and Ceeoxx.<unk>  gained widespread acceptance among physicians treating patients with arthritis and other conditions causing chronic or acute pain. Worldwide, over 80 million people were prescribed<unk>  at some time.
On September 30, 2004, Merck withdrew<unk>  from the market because of concerns about increased risk of heart attack and stroke associated with long-term, high-dosage use. Merck withdrew the drug after disclosures that it withheld information about<unk> 's risks from doctors and patients for over five years, resulting in between 88,000 and 140,000 cases of serious heart disease.<unk>  was one of the most widely used drugs ever to be withdrawn from the market. In the year before withdrawal, Merck had sales revenue of US$2.5 billion from Vioxx. Merck reserved $970 million to pay for its Vioxx-related legal expenses through 2007, and have set aside $4.85bn for legal claims from US citizens.<unk>  was available on prescription in both tablet-form and as an oral suspension. It was available by injection for hospital use.
Rofecoxib
Valdecoxib
Firocoxib
Etoricoxib
Robenacoxib
Mavacoxib
Celecoxib
Lumiracoxib