Vioxx didn't have abuse/withdrawal contraindications. Reference was to equivalent pain relief.
It did cause an unacceptable higher incidence of heart attacks, thus it was withdrawn. And all NSAID's are being increasingly studied when used long term.
If one can take ASA safely along with being monitored on a regular basis by a good MD, it may be the best/safest option of all.
Neither one is as good as NSAIDs but they both help.
Double blind study of one?
