keywords: vioxx merck earnings withdrawal painkiller
text: Update 3: Merck Slashes Its 2005 Estimates on Vioxx The withdrawal of painkiller Vioxx will reduce 2005 earnings of Merck  amp; Co. Inc. to between \$2.42 and \$2.52 a share, below the already diminished expectations of Wall Street analysts, the huge drug maker said Wednesday.