Merck & Co.'s Pandora's box has been opened wide, affecting much more than just the 20 million users of Vioxx.

Already wounded by the withdrawal of its Vioxx pain reliever from the market, Merck & Co. must now contend with hundreds of lawsuits over the drug's side effects - lawsuits that threaten to further damage the company's finances and reputation.

Already wounded by the withdrawal of its Vioxx pain reliever from the market, Merck must now contend with hundreds of lawsuits over the drug’s side effects-lawsuits that threaten to further damage the company’s finances and reputation.

Hundreds of plaintiffs' lawyers who claim that people were injured or killed by the

Already wounded by the withdrawal of its Vioxx pain reliever from the market, Merck & Co. must now contend with hundreds of lawsuits over the drug's side effects.

Already wounded by the withdrawal of its Vioxx pain reliever from the market, Merck must now contend with hundreds of lawsuits over the drug's side effects.

Hundreds of plaintiffs' lawyers who claim that people were injured or killed by the painkiller Vioxx plan to meet next week to lay the groundwork for a nationwide legal assault against the drug's maker, Merck.

Already wounded by the withdrawal of its Vioxx pain reliever from the market, Merck & Co. must now contend with hundreds of lawsuits over the drug's side effects.

Already wounded by the withdrawal of its Vioxx pain reliever from the market, Merck & Co. must now contend with hundreds of lawsuits over the drug's side effects - lawsuits that threaten to further damage the company's finances and reputation. Companies

Shares of Merck & Co. plunged more than 10 percent yesterday after a news report said documents showed the pharmaceutical giant hid or denied evidence for years that its blockbuster arthritis drug Vioxx causes heart problems.