Arcoxia falls in the same category of drugs as Vioxx, Bextra and Celebrex that have been withdrawn from the market in September 2004, after studies showed they doubled the risk for heart attack and stroke.
However despite the safety concerns in the United States, Arcoxia is on sale in 63 other countries and the company plans to keep working to get it on the U.S. market and has also provided further safety and efficacy information for the drug on FDA's request.
According to AP reports, the tests provided by Merck were under speculation by many experts and doctors who said Merck compared Arcoxia in its tests to another painkiller that increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Peter S. Kim, president of Merck Research Laboratories said, "We are committed to working with the FDA to determine the best approach to get it on the U.S. market."
Arcoxia is manufactured to treat the pain of osteoarthritis without the harsh stomach effects associated with painkillers such as aspirin.
