Darvon and Darvocet Lawsuit

The Deadly History of Darvon and Darvocet

Over the five decades in which Darvon and Darvocet were used in the US, evidence was mounting that these defective prescription drugs had dangerous and even deadly side effects. Public Citizen warned the FDA as early as 1978 that dextropropoxyphene was highly addictive, caused a buildup of toxins in the heart, and even led to suicidal tendencies. Furthermore, more than 2,000 accidental deaths from heart rhythm abnormalities related to Darvon and Darvocet have been reported since 1981.

Britain's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHPRA) recognized the danger of Darvon and Darvocet and pulled them from the UK market in 2005. The US Food and Drug Administration, however, declined to take action on these dangerous drugs even after a renewed petition from Public Citizen in 2006, who then sued the FDA two years later for failing to act. After a 2009 advisory panel recommendation, the FDA finally recalled Darvon and Darvocet in November 2010. It is unknown how many patients died from the effects of Darvon and Darvocet while the FDA delayed action.

Darvon and Darvocet Wrongful Death Lawsuits

After decades of research showed links to suicide and fatal heart rhythm abnormalities, Eli Lilly and Company finally recalled the painkillers Darvon and Darvocet in November 2010 at the request of the FDA. Families of those killed by Darvon and Darvocet through overdose, heart problems, and suicide are now increasingly seeking to file wrongful death claims in North Carolina and Virginia.

While the UK drug regulatory agency banned Darvon and Darvocet in 2005, the US Food and Drug Administration took five more years before doing the same. Even then, the FDA only took action after consumer advocates at Public Citizen filed a lawsuit to encourage the FDA to investigate a recall of Darvon and Darvocet.

Now that families in Norfolk, Newport News, and Roanoke, Virginia, are aware of the deadly history of Darvon and Darvocet, more and more are looking into the deaths of loved ones who were taking these dangerous prescription drugs. If someone in your family died of an overdose, heart arrhythmia, or suicide while taking Darvon or Darvocet, the pharmaceutical injury attorneys of Kalfus & Nachman could help you determine your legal options.

Compensation for Injury or Wrongful Death

The health risks involved for any person taking Darvon and Darvocet are hefty indeed. If you suffered injury after taking Darvon and Darvocet, or a loved one was wrongfully killed in reaction to the drug, we want to help you seek justice and reparation. At Kalfus & Nachman PC, we are passionate about fighting for the rights of injured victims and their families, and we will advocate for your rights if you have a dangerous drug claim.