Darvon and Darvocet were popular prescription painkillers regularly used to help reduce mild to moderate pain following surgery. However, in November 2010, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that these medications were being recalled due to a determination that the benefits provided by these drugs did not sufficiently outweigh the many risks posed to patients.

If you have suffered a serious injury from taking either of these medications, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your damages. The pharmaceutical injury attorneys at Gempeler Trial Lawyers are currently accepting Darvon and Darvocet claims, and we will fight aggressively to protect your rights and hold the negligent pharmaceutical manufacturer accountable for your damages.

Darvon/Darvocet Risks

During the 50 years Darvon and Darvocet were on the market, it is estimated that more than 22 million people used these drugs alleviate their surgical pain. The active ingredient in each drug is propoxyphene. However, Darvocet also contains acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol.

Despite their widespread use, there has been considerable evidence dating back several decades that Darvon and Darvocet pose serious risks to patients. The consumer watch group Public Citizen first petitioned the FDA to recall these drugs in 1978. The reasons listed in the petition included an increased risk of:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Arrhythmia
• Atrial fibrillation
• Irregular heartbeat
• Accidental overdose
• Suicidal tendencies

Additionally, the Public Citizen petition cited research which found that propoxyphene was only negligibly more effective than over-the-counter alternatives which did not place patients at risk of such serious side effects.

Unfortunately, the FDA failed to take action back in the late 1970s, resulting in many patients suffering avoidable injuries over the last 30 years. More than 2,110 accidental deaths have been associated with the consumption of Darvon and Darvocet since 1981. Many of these were caused by heart problems.

The high incidence of wrongful death as well as the other serious issues associated with Darvon and Darvocet prompted their recall from the U.K. market in 2005. One year later, Public Citizen once again approached the FDA with a request to initiate a Darvon/Darvocet recall. Due to the FDA’s failure to take action, Public Citizen filed a lawsuit against the organization in 2008. In response, the FDA created a safety advisory panel to investigate Darvon and Darvocet. The FDA advisory panel recommended the recall of these drugs in January 2009, yet it took the FDA almost two more years to follow through on this recommendation.

Gempeler Trial Lawyers Can Help

Gempeler Trial Lawyers has been protecting the rights of pharmaceutical injury victims for more than 30 years. Geoffrey Gempeler founded the firm in order to help others in need receive the compensation they deserve. Our experienced pharmaceutical injury lawyers have the trial experience necessary to stand up to the high powered legal teams assembled by pharmaceutical companies. We know how to fight and win in court, and we will not back down until you receive the successful outcome you deserve.

Please contact our pharmaceutical injury lawyers today to schedule your free initial consultation with Gempeler Trial Lawyers, serving clients in Colorado and Minnesota.