A man who suffered serious side effects after testing a new drug has won a compensation battle with its manufacturers.

Leslie Thomas, 75, was left emaciated, dehydrated and with an irregular heartbeat after taking Vioxx, the Telegraph reports.

The drug was licensed in 1999 in the UK and marketed as a safer alternative to the older style non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, which could cause gastric bleeding, the Guardian attests.

However, it was withdrawn when studies from the US found it could double the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Although US victims had received billions of pounds in compensation, nobody in the UK had received a payout.

In a new development, Merck Sharp and Dohme have now dropped an appeal and have agreed to pay Mr Thomas £28,000 in an out-of-court settlement.

"I’m not happy with the sum of money but I’m thrilled at the principal. Now I’m hoping that my victory will enable others to take their case to court," he commented.

Merck Sharp and Dohme maintained that the case was unique and sets no precedent for other people affected.