VIOXX

Using directions

Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. Inform your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. Additional monitoringof your dose or condition may be needed if you are taking an ACE inhibitor, an anticoagulant, furosemide, lithium, methotrexate, rifampin, thiazide diuretics, or warfarin. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including aspirin-sensitive asthma, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.

Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. This medicine may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. Store this medicine at room temperature below 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in a tightly-closed container, away from heat, moisture, and light. If you miss a dose of this medicine and you are taking 1 dose daily, take the missed dose if you remember the same day. Skip the missed dose if you do not remember until the next day. DO NOT take 2 doses at once.

Cautions

Do not take this medicine if you have had a sevre allergic reaction to aspirin or any medicine containing aspirin or to a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (such as Feldene, Motrin, Naprosyn, Clinoril). A severe reaction includes a severe rash, hives, breathing difficulties, or dizziness. If you have a question about whether you are allergic to this medicine or if a certain medicine is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, contact your doctor or pharmacist. If you experience difficulty breathing; tightness of chest; swelling of eyelids, face, or lips; or if you develop a rash or hives, tell your doctor immediately. Do not take any more doses of this medicine unless your doctor tells you to do so. Do not exceed the recommended dose or take this medicine for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor. Keep all doctor and laboratory appointments while you are using this medicine. Alcohol warning: If you consume 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day, ask your doctor whether you

should take this medicine or other pain relievers/fever reducers. This medicine may cause stomach bleeding. Before you begin taking any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any medicines that contain aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen. Aspirin as prescribed by your doctor for reasons such as heart attack or stroke prevention (i.e., non-arthritis doses) should be continued. For women: if you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. It is unknown if this medicine is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.

Possible side effects

Side effects that may occur while taking this medicine include weakness or nausea. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you experience itching or skin rash, swelling of the feet or ankles, unexpected weight gain, vomiting material that looks like coffee grounds, or blood in stool or vomit. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience swelling of hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; hoarseness; flu-like symptoms; sluggishness; yellowing of the skin or eyes; stomach pain; dark urine or pale stools; or unusual fatigue. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Possible food and drug interactions

Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job.

Dosage instructions

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

VIOXX is a registered trademark of Merck & Co., Inc.