US FDA staff says Merck's Arcoxia data mixed

WASHINGTON, April 10 (Reuters) - A Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK.N) study showed the risk of heart-related events for patients who took the pain reliever Arcoxia was similar to that with the older drug diclofenac, U.S. regulatory reviewers said in documents made public on Tuesday ahead of an advisory panel review.

A Food and Drug Administration analysis also said smaller and shorter studies showed Arcoxia, Merck's successor to withdrawn arthritis pill Vioxx, appeared to carry greater cardiovascular risk than the pain reliever naproxen or a placebo.

((Reporting by Lisa Richwine, editing by Gerald E. McCormick; Reuters Messaging: lisa.richwine.reuters.com@reuters.net, Phone: 202-310-5691)) Keywords: MERCK ARCOXIA/

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