Darvon Lawsuits
Last Updated: January 2009 • 4 Comments
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Darvon is a narcotic drug that contains the chemical propoxyphene, which is also available as a generic from several different companies. Although it is a relatively weak painkiller, it has been associated with thousands of deaths and is very addictive. On January 30, 2009, an FDA advisory panel recommended that a Darvon recall be issued because the risks outweight the minimal benefits provided by the painkiller.
STATUS OF DARVON LAWSUITS: Potential lawsuits are being reviewed by Darvon lawyers on behalf of individuals who died or suffered a serious injury from an overdose, suicide or heart attack while taking Darvon or generic propoxyphene.
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OVERVIEW: Darvon (generic: propoxyphene) is a relatively weak narcotic painkiller that is often prescribed to manage post-surgical pain. It may also be prescribed together with acetaminophen, or as the brand name drug Darvocet, which contains both propoxyphene and acetaminophen.
It is one of the most widely prescribed generic medications, with approximately 22 million prescriptions for propoxyphene in 2007.
DARVON RECALL: Thousands of deaths and other serious injuries from overdoses and suicides have been linked to Darvon side effects. According to data from the Federal Drug Abuse Warning Network, deaths related to Darvocet, Darvon and other generic propoxyphene drugs acccounted for over 5% of all drug related deaths between 1987 and 2006.
In June 2008, the consumer group Public Citizen filed a Darvon lawsuit against the FDA because they had failed to act on a petition filed in 2006 urging the U.S. drug regulators to remove propoxyphene drugs from the market. When the lawsuit was filed, it had been three years since British health officials began the withdrawal of the drug, and two years since the original petition was filed by Public Citizen. The lawsuit alleges that the FDA violated the law by failing to act on the petition or take actions to protect consumers from the painkiller’s side effects.
According to the petition filed by Public Citizen, over 2,000 Darvon deaths since 1981 have been linked to propoxyphene-containing drugs. In addition, it is highly addictive and has limited documented benefits over other available drugs that are safer.
In response to the petition, the FDA held an advisory panel meeting of outside experts on January 30, 2009 to review the Darvon problems. The panel voted 14 to 12 to recommend a recall of Darvon, as the drug provides little, if any, benefits over other painkillers, yet poses potentially life-threatening risks. Although the FDA is not required to follow the advice of their advisory panel and issue a Darvon recall, they usually do.
Darvon side effects also pose a risk for the elderly, as it can cause sedation and confusion, which may increase the risk of falls and fractures. Despite these risks, it is still widely used in nursing homes, hospitals and other long-term care facilities for older people.
Pingback by Public Citizen Urges FDA to Issue Darvon and Darvocet Recall — AboutLawsuits.com on 22 June 2008:
[...] the law by failing to act on a petition filed in 2006, which urged the removal of Darvocet, Darvon and generic propoxyphene drugs from the market because they have been associated with over 2,000 [...]
Comment by Vicky-Joy on 19 January 2009:
My mother died in 1978 of alcohol and Darvon poisoning here in London Ontario.She was found dead with Me and (2 year old) and my brother(7 year old) in the house alone by a neighbor in 1978!!
I was wondering if there was problem’s with The Darvon medication in the 1970’s. wouldn’t mind some more info about these Darvon lawsuits, it probably doesn’t involve in the death of my mother in theses lawsuits.
Comment by linda on 2 February 2009:
took darvon and darvocet for years supposed to be the panacea for my growing pains / arthritic pains attempted suicide first time i think at scott afb not sure had stomached pumped it was all darvon time capsules and you will never get the medical records no one will ever know what happened to many service brats i’m probably some of the few left of that time period
Pingback by Recall of Darvocet and Darvon Recommended by FDA Panel : AboutLawsuits.com on 2 February 2009:
[...] outside advisors to the FDA have recommended that the agency withdraw approval for the painkiller Darvon, which is also sold as Darvocet with the addition of acetaminophen. The panel found that the [...]