Darvon & Darvocet Recall Overview

FDA Recall of Darvon and Darvocet

On November 19, 2010, the FDA recalled the drugs Darvon and Darvocet (trade names for the opioid painkiller propoxyphene) due to clinical studies that linked their use to serious or even fatal heart rhythm abnormalities in patients. Darvon has been available as a prescription pain killer for over 50 years, however recent studies have shown that it can hinder the electrical activity within the heart, causing cardiac conduction abnormalities, or arrhythmia. If you or a loved one has been injured by the use of Darvon or Darvocet, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible.  Our attorneys aggressively fight for the rights of those injured by defective drugs.

How the Heart Works

The heart is a muscle that contracts and pumps blood through the blood vessels, which supply oxygen and nutrients to every organ and cell in the body. These contractions are called heart rhythms. The heart muscle also has its own electrical system, called the cardiac conduction system. This electrical activity shows up on an electrocardiogram (EKG), which cardiac specialists use to monitor heart health. An EKG can also measure the time between the start and end of certain waves (called Q and T waves) in the heart’s electrical cycle. This measurement is known as the QT interval. A prolonged QT interval can indicate ventricular tachyarrhythmia, which is an abnormality and can lead to sudden death. Prolongation of the QT interval can be caused by a number of things, including adverse drug reaction.

How Darvon and Darvocet Can Affect the Heart

New studies have shown that propoxyphene can cause considerable changes to the electrical activity of the cardiovascular system, including prolongation of the QT interval and other wave measurements. The studies showed that, even when taken at recommended doses, propoxyphene causes significant changes to the electrical activity of the heart. These changes, visible on an EKG, can increase the risk for abnormal heart rhythms, including:

• ventricular fibrillation: where the heart can stop pumping blood, usually resulting in sudden cardiac death
• atrial fibrillation: an abnormal heart rhythm that could lead to stroke or heart attack from a blood clot

What are some of the Other Side Effects of Darvon and Darvocet?

Severe and sometimes fatal responses have been reported from the use of propoxyphene, including:

• heart attack
• stroke
• death
• numerous cardiac disorders (arrhythmia, bradycardia, tachycardia, heart attack)
• irregular heart beat
• chest pain
• shortness of breath
• excessive sweating
• dizziness
• fatigue
• nausea and vomiting
• loss of consciousness 
• decrease in mental abilities

California Darvon and Darvocet Attorneys

If you or a loved one has taken Darvon or Darvocet and suffered from any side effects, including accidental overdose or a cardiac emergency, contact us for a free case evaluation. Our law firms are currently investigating claims involving these defective medications and our experienced attorneys are here to help you. If these drugs have caused you injury, you may be entitled to compensation such as past and future medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.