Vioxx

[Rofecoxib]

Drug Description
*IMPORTANT! On Sept. 30, 2004 Merck & Co., Inc. announced a voluntary worldwide withdrawal of VIOXX® (rofecoxib). Please be aware that the information below is provided only for reference.

DESCRIPTION

VIOXX * (rofecoxib) is described chemically as 4-[ 4-( methylsulfonyl) phenyl]-3-phenyl-2( 5H)-furanone. Rofecoxib is a white to off-white to light yellow powder. It is sparingly soluble in acetone, slightly soluble in methanol and isopropyl acetate, very slightly soluble in ethanol, practically insoluble in octanol, and insoluble in water. The empirical formula for rofecoxib is C17H14O4S, and the molecular weight is 314.36.

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Each tablet of VIOXX for oral administration contains either 12.5 mg, 25 mg, or 50 mg of rofecoxib and the following inactive ingredients: croscarmellose sodium, hydroxypropyl cellulose, lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and yellow ferric oxide. The 50 mg tablets also contain red ferric oxide. Each 5 mL of the oral suspension contains either 12.5 or 25 mg of rofecoxib and the following inactive ingredients: citric acid (monohydrate), sodium citrate (dihydrate), sorbitol solution, strawberry flavor, xanthan gum, and purified water. Added as preservatives are sodium methylparaben 0.13% and sodium propylparaben 0.02%.