A Texas appeals court has overturned a multimillion-dollar verdict against Merck, the former maker of Vioxx.

Leonel Garza, 71, had been taking Vioxx for less than a month when he died of a heart attack. 

The court ruled that there was insufficient evidence linking the pain relief drug to Garza's death.

The court said the family could not prove Garza's 23-year battle with heart disease did not lead to the death in 2001.

A Texas jury in April 2006 awarded Garza's widow $32 million.  That was later cut to nearly $7.8 million under Texas damage caps.

Vioxx was taken off the market after studies showed it doubled the risk of heart attacks and strokes.  That led to several lawsuits against Merck, which has a $4.85 billion settlement pending to end the majority of the suits.