Darvocet Class Action Lawsuit Filed Over Recalled Painkiller

A class action lawsuit has been filed against Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals on behalf of people who took the recently recalled Darvocet painkiller, alleging that the drug maker failed to warn about the potential risk of serious and fatal heart problems.ย 

The Darvocet class action lawsuit was filed by Linda Gallagher in U.S. district court in New Orleans, alleging that the medication caused her to suffer a heart attack. The suit seeks class action status on behalf of other similarly situated former users of Darvocet.

Last month, a Darvon and Darvocet recall was issued after the FDA determined that propoxyphene-based painkillers may increase the risk of potentially fatal heart rhythm abnormalities. The medications were also previously linked to a risk of overdose and suicide. All generic Darvocet and generic Darvon versions of propoxyphene were also recalled.

Spinal-Cord-Stimulation-Lawsuit
Spinal-Cord-Stimulation-Lawsuit

It is believed that Gallagher’s complaint is the first Darvocet lawsuit or Darvon lawsuit filed in federal court since the recall was issued on November 19.

According to allegations raised in the complaint, Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals violated the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act by creating a drug that could cause significant harm to users. The lawsuit also charges the company with failing to warn doctors and consumers about the potential side effects of Darvocet and Darvon.

Gallagher, the proposed lead plaintiff, claims to have suffered two heart attacks since being prescribedย Darvocet in 2007, and blamesย her heart problems on the drug.ย The lawsuit is seeking compensatory damages, medical monitoring fees, court costs and attorney fees for everyone included in the class action.

Darvocet is a popular painkiller that combines the active ingredient in Darvon with acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol. Darvon was first introduced in 1957, with propoxyphene designed to relieve mild to moderate post-surgical pain. In recent years, Darvocet has grown to become one of the 25 most commonly prescribed medications, with more than 22 million people receiving the painkiller.

Various groups have been calling for a recall of Darvocet and Darvon for years, with the first petition for the FDA to ban the medications filed in 1978. The prominent consumer group Public Citizen has suggested that Darvon and Darvocet side effects likely resulted in between 1,000 and 2,000 additional deaths in the United States since the time the medication was banned in the U.K. in 2005.


87 Comments


nicolas
As a law enforcement officer and enduring several work injuries, I was prescribed Darvocet. I changed careers and had to go through another training academy. I then began to feel rapid heart rates during physical training and was really afraid of suffering a heart attack. I also experienced shortness of breath and was perplexed because i have always been active in sports and weightlifting. Everyday of the academy i had to stop to let my heart rate go down. I took darvocet in a very responsible manner even dealing with some of the pain to avoid taking medications because i dont like to take meds. Sometimes while laying in bed i feel a rapid heart rate all of a sudden and feel that i need to breath heavier. Well i wound up failing the academy and have not been able to obtain a law enforcement job because my heart rate gets too elevated and constantly need to stop and take a breath. fyi i have less than 20% bmi. Could i have a case?

Reta
I had been taking Darvocet for numerous years, for chronic pain, a bad fall enhancing the pain from Fibrobmalgia as well as discs in my neck, and arthritis and rotator cuff surgery. The extreme up and downs mentally, along with the feeling of non relief from the medication, and against my GP’s advice, I stopped taking the med prior to them taking it off the market, my cardiologist diagnosed a problem with my heart’s [last year] performance in the left side delivering the blood to the rest of the body. I think the body builds an immunity to the pills and no longer is as helpful, as I couldn’t tell a difference after going off the medication. I’m taking an over the counter medication that seems to do as well as the Darvocet, neither of which truly helps to elevate the pain I endure daily. All medications have side effects, however, a problem with the heart is a very bad side effect and should not be taken lightly.

Lucy
My mother had been given Darvocet for her fractured tibia by her physician. She had been a active 83 year old until this. She slowly became weaker by the day, dizzy, nauseated and no energy to even get up out of bed. She was recently admitted to hospital to find that she has an duodenal ulcer. She was bleeding severly from this and was hospitalized for a few days. Can this ulcer also be linked to the Darvocet?

Valerie
I had been taking Darvocet for close to 6 years. I had unexplained pain in my left leg and knee. It has moved to both hips and I now have a bulging disc in my lower back. Darvocet is THE ONLY thing that took my paina way. I was told years ago I have Mitral Valve Proplapse and a heart murmur (which my current dr finds no sign of). I’ve taken Darvocet for 6 years and been perfectly fine. They pull drugs off the market when some people have reactions yet there are diet pills sold OTC that cause worse problems and they’re still on shelves. Now I am in constant unbearable pain every day unless I lay in bed and do nothing (which isn’t an option with a 6 and 8 yr old at home and me being a single mom). :-/ Oh, and I suffer from Restless Leg Syndrome and this was one medication that helped both my problems. And it improved my mood (contrary to what I’ve seen others post).

William
In 1986 after two hip joint replacements, Darvocet was provided as the least of the evils of Vicodin and Percocet. To play tennis, I popped Darvocet daily as a precaution for several years. In 2004, a knee joint replacement and more Darvocet. There is no history of heart rhythm issues in my family. In march 2006, the roof fell in and an ICD had to be implanted. I continued to pop darvocet to play tennis until 2009. No one ever told me about the side-effect history of Darvocet regarding irregular pulse. Now it appears the danger was noted decades ago. Where were the watchdogs?

Cynthia
I started taking Darvocet yrs back for pain from migranes and leg pain. I started having tightness in my chest and no energy. He did a stress test and said I had problems. Had to have a heart cath done. After a couple months I was better with my legs so didnt have to take pain killers . But couple yrs back had a back injury from some stairs and messed to disk up in back. I was put back on Darvocet. I was living in Ga then. Thought I was having a heart attack becasue I could nto walk 10 feets before giving out. Went to dr and my blood was so low had to hace blood transfusion right away. Took the pain killlers over the next couple yrs. Last yr noticed my energy was getting lower and lower , headaches, ulcers hurt worse, adn mood swings. Got in from work and had such severe chest pains rushed to hospital where I was attmented. They ran test and did nuclear stress test and sent me to Macon Ga for another heart cath. said what they saw was k, but first time I had it done in Louisiana the dr said looked like I had had a mild heart attack and didnt even know it at one point.. They knew what meds I was taking for pain , blood pressure and type 2 dibetic. no one ever said anything to me about the problems Darvoset could cause . Gave it to me for the pain after I was home. I ran out and never got refills becasue I moved back to Louisiana. But I dont have the energy I used to have and still get winded alot..

alyssa
I took Darvocet for a few years for hip dysplasia and a labral tear. I stopped taking it on a routine basis in 2008ish. 2009 I started having chest pains and was hospitalized with pericarditis. Since then I have been hospitalized with the chest pain and tachycardia with classic pericarditis symptoms but no actual source. I have this happen often now. The sad thing is I’m only 31 and this is a problem.

Cheri
In 1991 after a closed head injury accident I was prescribed Darvocet for pain. During my recovery, I was rushed to the ER on numerous occasions due to dizziness and finally diagnosed with supervetricular tach and put on antanolol to control the fast hart rate. Once they diagnosed me with v tach and most recently found atrial flutter at which time I was hospitalized. This make me angry to think that it was clearly known this drug could cause this problems, yet it was never discussed or looked at as the cause of my heart problems through out all the years I have used thsi medication for pain. Thinking this could have cost me my life makes it even more imperative to not used medication of any kind if you can avoid it. My concern now that the damage is done if the heart problems will be there because of the damage this medication has caused.

Kim
On November 12, 2010 I took Darvocet at approximately 8:15am. I was on the phone with the urologist office making an appointment when I told the receptionist that I felt like I was going to pass out. I yelled for my co-worker, and the next thing I knew, the doctor, MA, the police, and the EMT’s were with me. I work at a doctors office and was helped immediately. The doctor and the MA stated that I had no pulse, no blood pressure, and I wasn’t breathing when they ran up to my desk. I was taken by ambulance to the ER and was treated for what they thought at the time was syncope. We now know, it was due to the Darvocet! This drug could have very well, cost me my life had I not gotten care immediately! I have never had any heart problems in the past (I’m 46 years old) and this scared the heck out of me! Not to mention the bills that are rolling in from going by ambulance and spending most of the day in the emergency room!

Debbie
I have been reading your posts on the medication Darvocet. I happen to be a RN for the past 30 years, still working, and yes i have taken darvocet since 1995; i now have a bundle branch block, severe shorthness of breath, along with fatigue, had a cardiac cath in 2008 with no blockages thank goodness, restless nights, numbness in lower legs, rash thats comes and goes and the doctors have no answer except that im out of shape and need more exercise. Yes, all medications come with the risk of side effects, adverse reactions and no two people will react the same. But darvocet seemed to be the lesser of the evils ๐Ÿ™ I have taken care of patients that have lung cancer and never smoked, people with cirrhosis of the liver and never drank alcohol. Some would say its the luck of the draw, but when your sick and feel bad you would hope the FDA and others would be able to provide safe medication to the people at large

Anne
I disagree with those of you who said that the recall is horrible and that the side effects are just from people overdosing. My husband, who had no heart issues, has been taking Darvocet off and on over the past ten years for back pain. He took the lowest dose prescribed, yet developed erratic heart rhythms. We’ve had him numerous times in the emergency room and he’s been evaluated by cardiac specialists, and they all knew he took Darvocet, yet we got no answers. His symptoms got so bad this past year that the paramedics had to rush him to the hospital. Test after test was run, but the doctors remained stumped. He ended up having to take beta blockers, that made things worse, so he discontinued them. Now that he’s not taking Darvocet, his heart problems have virtually disappeared. He can’t have opiates, either, but we’re glad this medication has been recalled. The FDA should have done it back in 1978. I feel horrible for the families who lost loved ones because they took the medication as prescribed and ended up with fatal heart problems. Don’t blame this on people overdosing, too many took the medication as prescribed and got burned.

Sheila
Ive been taking Darvocet for at least 10 years for RSD,Osteoporosis and Arthritis. Just a few months ago I got out of the shower and felt a thump in my chest and my heart started racing and when I got to my dr. it was beating 195 per minute. In the ER I was givng meds thru an IV to stop my heart.. then another med was pushed to restart it again…heart center here says Im having electrical problems in my heart..like an extra curcuit is knocking it off of its natural pace. They have me on blood pressure meds right now and it seems to be working.. but Ive been told this can happen again.. and I could have a heart attack at anytime…dont know what to do now……..

Cheryl
I agree with Bill. We all know the side effects of this drug. This is such a TERRIBLE recall by the FDA. This is the only pain killer that helps soo many of us. I believe that many of the claims are from those searching for a free ride and lots of money. Shame on you!! Also, it should be up to the patient whether or not he/she wants to take the risk of taking this drug. So many unhealthy people looking to blame darvocet for the other problems they are having. Hey, by the way, my rt. buttock tingles-is that from darvocet? Yes, I am ANGRY!

Bill
I agree that the side effects are potentially hazardous and at times fatal, but there are no alternative drugs available in the same range of effectiveness for those who are allergic to opiates. This is a TERRIBLE call on part of the FDA and the manufacturer. All drugs have side effects and most are fatal if taken in large doses. This is a MISTAKE.

Maria
My mother was prescribed this medication on 05/052010, she was having shortness of breath, what she thought was heart burn within 5 days of taking this medication… on 05/11/2010 my mother was admitted to the ER with CHF… she died 05/13/2010 from CHF. 58 yrs old… How sad riight… four grown children, seven grandchildren… that not one did she get to see get married… and not mention my father that she was married to for 36 yrs…. Where is the justice?? I cry myself to sleep many nights just wishing I could talk to her…

stephanie
I understand that all of you are upset with having to take different medication, but I am getting married to a man whose mother died because of this drug and I know he would rather be you and in pain then going through what he has. People have lost their mothers, fathers, kids, friends. Do you think that the makers of this drug would be taking it off the market if it was just the consumers who were using it wrong. PROBABLY NOT… There are regulations in place to keep us safe, and maybe this is one of those that you may not understand right now, and may make your life a little more difficult but hopefully you will be thankful for one more day with your family and friends.

Gene
I totally agree with you. What am I going to use to take Darvocets place?

Davi
My mother takes Darvocet, and it seem sto help. She has a hard time taking other pain killers becase they tend to make her sick or serverely constipate her. I think Lori that commented on 12/12/2010 is right, if you are responsible enough to take a prescribed you should be fine. People can overdose on aspirin, do hey take that off the market, I think not! If taken properly Darvocet is a very effective drug, every drug has it’s risk and side effects, thats why it’s suppose to be taken in moderation. My mother takes Darvocet because stronger more addictive drugs make her sick ,make her head “foggy”, cause her to sleep excedsively and as stated earlier, cause severe constipation. I wish this decision would be reconsidered, but I doubt it.

Janet
I started out taking Darvocet for chronic pain associated with 2 slipped cervical disks. I’d been having side affects from taking Ultrum so the dr switched me. Shortly there after, he changed it Balacet. Around that time i started experiencing heart flutters/palpitations. I went to the emergency room. They ran every test under the sun & found nothing. This was January of this year & went downhill quickly from there. I would get tired extremely easy (I’m 37). I’ve been to 5 doctors who came up with theories including: Hyperthyroidism, Hyperglycemia, Rheumatoid Arthritis & most recently Fibromyalgia. I’ve had so many tests done on me & blood taken that at one point I resembled a pin cushion. My husband & i have been wanting to get pregnant so i started reducing my use of Balacet & noticed a decrease in my symptoms. Shortly there after, we heard about them pulling it off the market & I stopped taking it. My energy has returned, my Fibromyalgia lessened considerably and the “flutters & palpitations” reduced. There is much, much more to the story but Its way too long. I do have it documented on line along with all of my complaints of “Flutters & palpitations”.

karen
I have been taking darvocet for 37 years for both migraines and back pain. I just went to the Dr and found out that it was taken off the market and had to get pain medicine that had morphine in it. I was sick for the whole next day and now I have no pain meds that I can tolerate. Hopefully they will will re-evaluate the darvocet and put it back on the market.

Lori
To the panel that had Darvocet pulled off the market, thank you so much for making my life more difficult than it already is. I am a 52 year old retired nurse. I crushed two lumbar vertabrae when I was 14 years old (fell off a horse) these injuries are not surgically repairable, I have had surgery to repair a herniated cervical disc (which was followed with trigeminal neuralgia) and I have had both of my shoulders repaired (torn rotator cuffs). I have been taking Darvocet for about 5 years as needed. I am able to function well at home when I take Darvocet (usually 2-3 a day). I do not drive when I take Darvocet. I take it responsibly and have had no side effects. I have several gastrointestinal issues and Darvocet does not aggravate these. Tylenol does not help the pain and Ibuprofen causes gastrointestinal issues. Hydrocodone gives me a headache and causes constipation. Ultram does not help the pain either. Again, thank you so much for the added aggravation and for making a decision without asking. Drugs are usually pulled off the market because of a lawsuit or the drug company is marketing a new drug. Just another story of a few people ruining things for the rest of us.

Clint
I am a 52 year old male. I had my first of 3 spine surgeries 1/94 for a cracked lamina, L-5 (ASF w/hardware L-5/S-1) with repeats in 8/95 for a failed fusion and broken hardware (ASF/PSF with new hardware and removal of L-5/S-1 disc) one more repeat fusion w/removal of hardware 3/96. I had switched to Darvocet for pain control some time in 95/96 believing it to be less destructive to the system over time with the ability to function. I have been taking daily until Nov 19, 2010 when it was pulled from the market. In 2002/3 I had developed a rapid heart rate and an irregular beat, after a handful of tests and ending up at AZ Heart Institute having been prescribed a Beta Blocker (Toperal (sp) I was told I had an Electrical problem, was mapped and was going to have it cauterized to eliminate the misfiring in that areaโ€ฆ.They kept calling my old insurance company to verify the procedure and of course it was denied 2 times. I said I would just take the pills. I still have a rapid heart rate and am now 52 years old and know that all of this is taking a heavy toll on my system. I have been robbed of all energy, light headed and do not feel good most of the time as now I have all of the side effects of the Toperal along with Advair for the shortness of breath that it causes.

Robert
I have been taking Darvocet perscribed by my doctor for pain relief from shoulder surgery. I have been having chest pains and bouts with rapid heartbeats and irregular heart rythms. I have not seen a cardiologist because I assumed the pains were nothing serious. I am beginning to rethink my assumptions. Could you please give me some more information on this issue. I am worried about potential damage to my heart now.

Denise
My mother started taking darvocet in the late 70’s after a automobile accident which left her with many back problems and multiple surgeries. By 1990 my mother at the age of 47 developed heart “problems” she has since had bypass surgery twice and too many angioplaties and stents to count. At age 66 my mother was placed on Hospice since there are no more treatments the physicians can give that will stop her chronic angina. She has not been on Darvocet for the past few years since all this has occured and is on much stronger pain medication now. I now wonder if her years on Darvocet contributed to her heart disease? This was a shock when I seen that Darvocet was linked to heart problems and now I am wondering if our family should investigate this further??

Shannon
My grandfather who I have been his care taker for the past 5 years fell and and hurt his shoulder, and had started taken Darvocet about six mts later I had to keep amiting him in the hospital beacuse his heart was all carzy by the 4 time in the hospital the said since he was in there so much to take him to a rehab place for PT he was there for 2 mts came home for 1 week and had a stroke and passed I so beleve it was from this he was in much beter health b4 this medication….. What should I do?

Yanise
On October 22,2010 i gave birth to a beautiful little angel. I had a C-section. I was prescribed Darvocet N-100 Qty 30Pills to ease my pain, I took about 14 pills. On November 6,2010 I had a heart attack. I was hospitalized for 4 days, the heart doctor didn’t really know what causes my heart attack. He said it was very rare for me to have a heart attack. I am only 33 years old. Before I had my baby i had no heart problem. Now i am on high blood pressure medication, cholesterol, blood thinner, Plavix, and Asparin. There are no history of anyone in my family with heart problem. I want to know if i have a case.

Elden
I was on Darvocet for many years sometimes taking up to 5000mg a day for pain. I finally had a heart attack and was in the hospital for several days. The doctors until I just called never took me off the medicine ! I told the doctors that my heart problems were directly related to the Darvocet and all they could say was sorry.

tammee
I have been taking Darvocet for pre- and post back pain, for the past couple of years and 4 months after surgery , I have had breathing problems, and loss of memory and my leg goes numb, and I have night swets and can’t sleep, and I get dizzy could this be from taking the medication that my pcp ordered me, that I trusted him in ordering for me?

kathryn
I took darvocet for several years, it did make me somewhat nervous, and i did have a little heavyness in my chest, but my moods would go from good to worse, and sometimes it felt like by pain would intensify. I have osteroarthritis in my hands, and had surgery over this past summer. and i do go occasionally get shots in my hands and leg also. I did notice since i have stopped taking them and i am now on tramadole, the spelling may be wrong as far as the new med. i am not so anxious and depressed, i was really bad in those regards also.

ANGELO
I have been taking Darvocets since 2003 and been hospitalized at least 9 times with atrill fib and atrill flutter, and are curently on 10 pills a day.

Terri
I have arrythmias and was a darvocet/darvon user since 1986 because of a neck injury and majjor surgery as ewll as fibrmualgia.

Camille
I have been on Darvocet for about 1-2 years. I have had Stomach Ulcers, UTI, blatter infections, Hemroids, rashes and more things that you can imagine. Do you think this can be from using Darvocet?

Veronica
My father has been taken prescriptions for Darvocette for some time and has had major heart/health problems.

sue
I have been on Darvocet sence Nov 2007 for a back injury. I have always been a very enterjectic person,but for the last two years I have no eneryat all.I have dizzy spells and I get spells of being sick to my stomach. I have trouble breathing which I was put on asthma medicine but that doesn’t seem to help. I just know for the last two yrs I haven’t felt like doing anything. I know this isn’t normally the way I feel. I have trouble going to sleep and staying a asleep. I have reported this all to my drs, I have pain in my neck that runs up to my ear.

amber
hello, im sorry but i mistspelled some of my words and i put down the wrong year….i was not even born in 1865…..i started takind darvocet in 1985…….i can not see that good and i hit the wrong keys…………i also had cornea transplants in my eyes in 1994 and 1995 and i was gave darvocets then for the pain after surgery. please let me know cuz i want to know if that caused any of my problemd.

amber
hello, i too k darvocet for year and in 18i65 i started having heart problems……….my heart beart was dangerously beating to fast and i had to go to a heart doctor…………i had a bundle branch block which they did a stress test in greenivll ,tx and sent me from ther to dallas cuz they thought i was having a V tact but it was a bundle branch block instead……………..could thst have caused that problem? now i have a pace maker and this is my 3rd pace maker ,,,,,,,,,,,it keeps it slowed down to normal beat a min. also when they had me on darocets they had tendesey making me real hipper and i could not be still……….. just made me nervous………..i took the again a few months ago and they did the same thing and i have r.a. and they do not stop the pain………..

Sueellyn
I think that if this medication was recalled due to the number of deaths…over the amt prescribed vs years on the mkt lets do the math… look at the number of deaths contributed to other drugs…. seems that this rx is the only in the family and it worked for me… so the studies have shown that in the fatilities………..they had NO other known heart problems existed such as family history….

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