Lawsuit Over Heart Problems From Darvocet Filed On Behalf of Three People
Three Louisiana residents have filed a Darvocet lawsuit against a number of drug manufacturers, claiming that the recalled painkiller caused them to suffer serious heart problems.
The complaint was filed by Billy Lambert, Gladys Delaune and Margaret Seagraves on March 4 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Listed as defendants are Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the manufacturer of Darvocet, and a number of generic Darvocet makers, including Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., Qualitest Pharmaceuticals, Inc., as well as previous Darvocet manufacturers, AAIPharma Services and Eli Lilly and Co.
According to the lawsuit, the plaintiffs have developed serious heart problems from Darvocet, including wide complex tachycardia, which is potentially life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia that originates in the ventricles causing an abnormal heart rhythm that exceeds the normal range for a resting heartbeat.
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Learn MoreDarvocet was a popular pain medication that combines acetaminophen with propoxyphene, the active ingredient in the similar painkiller Darvon. It was sold by Eli Lilly for about 40 years before distribution rights for the name brand version of the drug were sold to AAIPharma in 2002, and it was subsequently purchased by Xanodyne in 2005.
In November 2010, the FDA concluded that side effects of Darvocet and Darvon can cause significant changes to the electrical activity of the heart, resulting in a recall of Darvocet and generic equivalents. The heart problems may increase the risk of heart arrythmias, myocardial infarction and sudden death.
The lawsuit claims that all of the name-brand drug makers and the generic manufacturers, knew or should have known about the risk of Darvocet problems and failed to warn consumers or doctors. The complaint charges the defendants with negligence, fraud, breach of warranty, and liability.
Since the recall, a growing number of individuals throughout the United States have filed a Darvon lawsuit or Darvocet lawsuit against makers of the drugs alleging that sudden and sometimes fatal heart problems were allegedly caused by the drugs.
A motion is currently pending with the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation to have the Darvon and Darvocet litigation centralized before one judge for pretrial proceedings as part of an MDL. A hearing on the motion is scheduled for March 30 in California.
7 Comments
marjorieJanuary 27, 2013 at 10:14 pm
i have had 2 open heart surgeries and 7 stints from taking generic darvoset how can any judge disqualify them from paying victims
NicoleNovember 21, 2012 at 7:29 am
5 years ago today I had a csection. It caused nerve damage to my left lower stomach. It took two years to diagnosis the problem and would have to live with unbearable stabbing pains forever. So I was sent to a pain specialist In 2009- 2010 Dr Grubb put me on darvocet for over a year. I stopped when my Grandma saw the recall on TV. I stopped it immediately and left a message with Grubb's office. An[Show More]5 years ago today I had a csection. It caused nerve damage to my left lower stomach. It took two years to diagnosis the problem and would have to live with unbearable stabbing pains forever. So I was sent to a pain specialist In 2009- 2010 Dr Grubb put me on darvocet for over a year. I stopped when my Grandma saw the recall on TV. I stopped it immediately and left a message with Grubb's office. And then spoke to my pharmacist who did agree. For about the last year maybe more I have had problems with my heart. The problems are that my heart beat NEVER goes below 100 average its between 115-145 for no reason. I wake up and it's 126. I also have been diagnosed with high blood pressure. Before the medicine I didn't have these me problems before the medication now I get chest pains all the time, get moments where I can hear feel and even see my heart pounding really fast. And lastly I also have to breath extremely fast so I can stay standing.
melisiaOctober 20, 2012 at 1:42 am
My father took darvocet for 35 years. We heard bout the recall and he filed his paperwork almost 3 years ago regarding the recall... We just lost our father in march of 2012. The lawyer we had declined his case. We have no idea why.. does anyone know why they would decline a case??
freddieApril 4, 2011 at 2:50 pm
he taking DAROCET in 2004 for his back pain until the doctor SWITCH on his medcation and he congestiver heart failure and high blood pressure and diabetes .
DEBRAMarch 30, 2011 at 10:18 pm
I HAVE BEEN GIVING DAROCET FAR PAIN FAR DIFERRENT THINGS AND I HAD TO HAVE A PACEMAKER FOR HEART RATE LOW SOME WERE IN 30 40 AND ONE 28 WHILE IN HOSPITAL BEFORE MY PACEMAKER DOCTOR DID NOT KNOW WHY HEART RATE LOW , AM I ENTILTED TO LEGAL ASSISTANCE .
cathyMarch 22, 2011 at 11:27 pm
i have been taking the generic for years 30 years , I was told about a heart mummur i have about 3-4 years ago, can this be caused by darocet....should i seek legal assistance.
ValerieMarch 16, 2011 at 1:22 pm
I was involved in an "hit-and-run" accident where a drunk driver hit me (as I was crossing the street) and it caused me a fractured pelvic bone along with blood clots on my knees. I was given a series of Darvon/Darvocet for the pain. I have had surgeries and with one of them I once again was given Darvon/Darvocet. I also was given it when I cut my achilles tendon. Since then I have been told I[Show More]I was involved in an "hit-and-run" accident where a drunk driver hit me (as I was crossing the street) and it caused me a fractured pelvic bone along with blood clots on my knees. I was given a series of Darvon/Darvocet for the pain. I have had surgeries and with one of them I once again was given Darvon/Darvocet. I also was given it when I cut my achilles tendon. Since then I have been told I have a heart murmur; something I did not have as a child/teenager and I am wondering now if taking this drug might have had anything to do with it.