Before the headlines hit about the dangers of using Vioxx (rofecoxib), researchers were already aware, say news reports.
Vioxx, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), was made by Merck & Co. Inc., and introduced to the American market in 1999. The company then voluntarily pulled the drug from the market in September 2004, after there were multiple reports of increased risk of heart attack and stroke associated with long-term, high-dose use.
Six investigators from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine analyzed 30 randomized placebo-controlled trials involving Vioxx  and 20,152 individuals. They published their findings in the November 23 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.
What …read more

Press release

Today the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announces approval of naproxen 250mg tablets to be made available from pharmacies under the brand name Feminax Ultra for the treatment of period pain (primary dysmenorrhoea) for women aged between 15 and 50 years. Medicines containing naproxen are currently available on prescription only.
It is estimated that 40-70% of women of reproductive age experience period pain during their menstrual cycles. For up to 10% of women period pain can interfere with their daily activities.
Over-the-counter (OTC) naproxen provides an alternative to ibuprofen, which is the only non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) currently available …read more