My husband had Vioxx prescribed for him but decided to quit taking it without talking to his doctor. He suffered a heart attack. How can we prove that Vioxx caused the heart attack? Will our damages be reduced because my husband decided on his own to stop taking the drug?

The use of Vioxx has been linked to an increased risk of heart attack by numerous studies including one conducted by the FDA itself. What is less clear is whether the damage that Vioxx inflicts continues after the drug is no longer taken. The sooner that your husband suffered his heart attack after he stopped taking Vioxx, the better chance you have of linking his heart attack to his use of Vioxx. Your attorney will also want to find out if your husband had an underlying heart condition that may have contributed to his heart attack. This may, however, be useful in a malpractice action against your husband’s doctor.

The fact that your husband stopped taking the drug without consulting his doctor probably will have no affect on his damages. Suddenly withdrawal from the drug does not appear to have any specific side effects associated with it.