A recent observational study showed that people taking Vioxx, a popular arthritis medication, had a 24 percent increased risk of heart attack during the first three months after starting the drug. This is in comparison to patients taking Celebrex or NSAIDs.

Mary Blake, a spokeswoman for the maker of Vioxx, Merk & Co., pointed out that these results were not necessarily in line with previously conducted, randomized and controlled trials for Vioxx. “Data from two large controlled trials showed no difference in the rate of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events in patients taking Vioxx vs. patients taking a placebo.”

The study author did concede that the new data is not sufficient reason to discontinue taking the medication. “These drugs have a benefit. We need to understand which patient groups are groups that receive the most benefit.” Said Dr. Daniel Solomon.

Dr. Solomon said that one possibility for the increased risk of heart attack in the first ninety days could be that people who are susceptible to side effects are going to have them early.

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