A new report published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) links Merck & Company's Vioxx to five cases of a nonbacterial type of meningitis. According to the FDA, several patients developed aseptic meningitis (inflammation of the covering around the brain and spinal cord) while using the arthritis drug. The patients, who were all hospitalized, developed symptoms of the disorder within twelve days of taking Vioxx.

It is estimated that over 52 million Americans have used the drug since its introduction in 1999. Vioxx made headlines recently when a study suggested that the drug may increase a patient's risk of suffering a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot.

According to the report, Celebrex, another arthritis relief drug, has been linked to six cases of meningitis.