# A Question About Drug Side Effects.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-drug-side-effects/77525>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 22, 2001, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-drug-side-effects/77525 "2001-08-22T12:42:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\
**Post date:** [August 22, 2001, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-drug-side-effects/77525/1 "2001-08-22T12:42:27Z")

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The CNN website is carrying a story about [2 arthritis drugs](http://www.cnn.com/2001/HEALTH/conditions/08/21/arthritis.drugs.ap/index.html). These drugs seem to increase the risk for stroke and heart attacks, even if it is only a minor increase.  
A doctor gave me some Vioxx for an arm injury, and I have to wonder about the side effects. Is the chance for a problem based on one pill at a time? Or are side effects the result of cumulative use? Or both?

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**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\
**Post date:** [August 22, 2001, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-drug-side-effects/77525/2 "2001-08-22T13:30:09Z")

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I would imagine it would depend on how long you were on the drug and your age and current state of fitness.

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**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\
**Post date:** [August 22, 2001, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-drug-side-effects/77525/3 "2001-08-22T13:37:39Z")

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In the first place, those side effects have not been established. One small study indicated the problems, but critics say there were flaws in the study. The other, larger, study, showed a slight increase but it was statistically insignificant.

If you’re taking Vioxx for an acute injury, you’re going to be on it for only a short time. Side effects, if any, would occur to chronic users in chronic pain, such as rheumatoid arthrtities, osteoarthritis, etc.

Far more important things to worry about.