Darvocet

Darvocet History, Use and Complications

The medication, Propoxyphene, was a widely marketed pain medication sold under its common name, Darvocet. Darvocet was originally developed by Eli Lilly but for the past several years has been produced and sold by Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Kentucky corporation. In 2009, accordingly to the FDA, about ten million people in the United States received prescriptions for Darvocet and Propoxyphene drugs.

With the use of Darvocet, came reports of adverse heart related side effects, including heart arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), bradycradia (slow heartbeat), myocardial infarction (heart attacks), and sudden death. In 2009, the European medicines agency recommended that Propoxyphene products be banned across Europe due to safety concerns. Moreover, questions were raised regarding the effectiveness of Propoxyphene products, including Darvocet, in providing pain relief. A number of different organizations, including Public Citizen, campaigned the FDA for Darvocet and Propoxyphene products to be banned from use in the United States. In 2009, the FDA ordered that a study be conducted regarding the safety of Darvocet and Propoxyphene products. Results of this study showed that even when taken at recommended doses, Propoxyphene (Darvocet) causes significant changes in the electrical activity of the heart. These changes can be seen on electrocardiogram and can increase the risk for serious abnormal heart rhythms that have been linked to a series of adverse effects, such as those mentioned above.

FDA Action – Halt of Darvocet Sales

On November 19, 2010, the FDA announced that Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals had agreed at the request of the FDA to halt all marketing of Darvocet in the United States. This was done as a result of the conclusion of the FDA study that the benefits, if any, provided by Darvocet and similar Propoxyphene medications were outweighed by a risk of cardiac side effects.

Some in the medical and scientific communities have opined that thousands of individuals have suffered a variety of different heart related complications as a result of the use of Propoxyphene products, including Darvocet. These adverse side effects include atrioventricular block, heart arrhythmias, myocardial infarction and sudden death.

Darvocet Litigation

Hundreds, if not thousands, cases have been filed across the United States by former users of Darvocet and Propoxyphene products alleging that they have suffered adverse cardiac symptoms due to use of the drug. Cases have been filed in state and federal courts and a multi district litigation proceeding has been established in a federal district court in Kentucky.

Foley & Small is representing clients who have suffered adverse cardiac symptoms as a result of the use of Darvocet and similar Propoxyphene products. We are sympathetic in understanding of the pain, suffering and disruption that clients endure in having to deal with the adverse side effects resulting from Darvocet usage.

Darvocet Complications – Contact Foley & Small

We’ve handled various cases involving defective pharmaceuticals, including pending Darvocet cases and others such as Vioxx, Digitek and Darvocet. We are experienced in handling such defective phamaceutical product claims both in federal and in state courts. We are dedicated to helping women and men who are dealing with symptoms and loses and heart ache that comes with dealing Darvocet complications. If you or a family member or friend is suffering from complications due to Darvocet use, contact Foley & Small.

You can call Foley & Small on our toll free number 800-276-2525, you can email us or you can complete new client contact form located to the upper right column of this page. A member of our office will contact you and we can begin steps to evaluate your case and provide needed help.