Reports say hundreds of personal injury attorneys are beginning preliminary preparations toward litigation against makers of Darvon and Darvocet, or Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals Inc. The drugs, which were manufactured for opioid pain relief, reportedly have a reaction in many users, including life-threatening arrhythmic cardiac events.
The product Propoxyphene was first sold as Darvon in the late '50s, with a newer medicine, Darvocet, a combination drug made with propoxyphene and acetaminophen, now offered as an alternative. But late last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals Inc. had agreed to pull Darvon and Darvocet from the market after a study that linked propoxyphene to serious and sometimes fatal heart rhythm problems. There have been an estimated 10 million prescriptions in 2009 alone.
The suits may also include manufacturer Eli Lilly, which sold the medication to another pharmaceutical company in 2002 - namely AAI Inc. Reports say Xanodyne purchased the drug in 2005 after AAI declared bankruptcy. The possible lawsuits will allege product liability and negligence, saying the drug makers did not advise proscribing physicians or patients about the cardiac risks involved with propoxyphene, reports say.
Reports also say that propoxyphene is toxic at some doses and is addictive. Reports also allege it has been linked to thousands of US deaths since 1981, many of which were likely caused by cardiac toxicity and a deadly rapid heartbeat known as ventricular tachycardia.
Complications from drugs such as this are tragic. Most need an expert to help deal with situations similar to this. A consultant is always helpful in giving direction to families of accidental injury and death victims. The Doan Law Firm P.C., led by Houston personal injury attorney Jimmy Doan, has extensive experience in personal injury and wrongful death accidents and can assist any family suffering loss or injury. Contact the Doan Law Firm, P.C., at 1 Riverway, Suite 2055, Houston, Texas 77056, (713) 869-4747 or (800) 910-FIRM.