Many of my clients take this drug. I post this as a public service.

"This morning, Merck is announcing a voluntary, worldwide withdrawal of Vioxx -- our cox-2 inhibitor for arthritis and pain," said Raymond Gilmartin, the chairman of Merck Pharmaceuticals. "We are taking this action because it best serves the interest of patients."

Merck took the action because an ongoing study found that people taking Vioxx for longer than 18 months doubled their risk of having a heart attack or stroke.