Merck Vioxx heart risks began immediately-WSJ

NEW YORK, July 3 (Reuters) - Heart risks associated with Merck & Co.'s (MRK.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) Vioxx began immediately after patients began taking the painkiller, casting doubts on the company's claims, The Wall Street Journal Online reported on Tuesday, citing a new study.

Since Merck withdrew Vioxx from the market in September 2004, it has argued that patients weren't at any heightened risk of a serious cardiovascular event unless they had taken the medicine for at least 18 months, the Journal said.

But a new study approved for publication in the New England Journal of Medicine says half of patients who experienced cardiovascular events did so within 12 months. Risk of heart attack and stroke went away within 14 days after patients stopped taking the drug, according to the report.

The new study, known as Victor, was conducted by researchers at Oxford University in England, the Journal said.

A Merck spokeswoman was not immediately available for comment. Merck shares closed Monday at $49.57 on the New York Stock Exchange.

((Reporting by Nick Zieminski, editing by Rory Channing; nick.zieminski@reuters.com; Reuters Messaging: nick.zieminski.reuters.com@reuters.net; +1 646 223 6000)) Keywords: MERCK VIOXX

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