Should Darvon and Darvocet Prescription Drugs Be Banned from the U.S. Market? | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

Darvon and Darvocet are two popular painkillers embroiled in controversy due to their primary ingredient – propoxyphene. Recent reports indicate a risk of overdose from taking drugs containing propoxyphene and the Public Citizen, a watchdog group, reported over 2,000 people have died from heart failure connected to the drug. As a response, the FDA now requires a label warning consumers about its adverse effects.

In 2007, roughly 21 million prescriptions of propoxyphene drugs were sold to the American people, according to the Associated Press.

It appears the United States is a little behind the times considering Britain banned propoxyphene drugs years ago due to a string of suicides and deadly overdoses. So the question needs to be raised – should the U.S. ban Darvon, Darvocet, and any other propoxyphene-dominant drugs?

The answer isn’t a clear yes or no. Doctors actually describe Darvon and Darvocet as relatively weak painkillers, but the risk of overdose is due to the fact propoxyphene remains in the body’s system for 30+ hours. Therefore, if an individual takes more than the recommended dose, or even simply takes a slightly higher dose in two days, it could have adverse effects.

Unfortunately, individuals who take Darvon and Darvocet were not properly informed of this potential risk.

Our firm represents clients who’ve been severely injured due to prescription drugs and if you’ve suffered an injury from Darvocet, Darvon, or any other propoxyphene-related drug, consult an attorney. The fact that the FDA is requiring a warning label now, as opposed to years ago, is quite troubling and shows a lack of proper oversight in the prescription drug market.

Here’s a video discussing the FDA’s failure to properly regulate prepoxyphene-dominant drugs like Darvon and Darvocet, along with other prescription drugs…

About the Editors: Shapiro & Appleton& Duffan personal injury law firm is based in Virginia (VA), near the NE North Carolina (NC) border and handles car,truck,railroad, and medical negligence cases and more. Our lawyers proudly edit the Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard, and Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard as a pro bono public information service. Lawyers licensed in: VA, NC, SC, WV, DC, KY.

 

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