Darvocet Lawsuits Increase Due To Dangerous Side Effects
Darvocet is the brand name of a medication that has been prescribed for mild to moderate pain for almost forty years. It was given to patients as they recovered from surgeries or injuries. Recently, it has been discovered that the main ingredient in the medication and others like it may cause serious heart problems in certain people. A number of Darvocet lawsuits have been filed, and the drug was pulled form the market in 2010.
Darvocet had been approved for pain relief for almost forty years. It’s a narcotic, and the active ingredient is called propoxyphene. It also contains acetaminophen, a mild pain reliever that’s available over the counter. It works by affecting the patient’s central nervous system. Traditionally, it has been given to patients for mild to moderate pain, usually for short term use.
In time, it became apparent that users of these propoxyphene containing products began having serious, life-threatening side effects. In many patients, the drugs caused heart arrythmias. These in turn led to heart attacks in some patients, and permanent heart rhythm disruption in others, which can only be treated by placement of a pacemaker. As a result of taking these drugs, people have died and been subjected to surgeries and life long health consequences.
Other serious side effects have been reported as well. Because the drugs are narcotics, addiction was reported frequently. Also, mixing their use with alcohol sometimes had tragic consequences. This is dangerous because the combination can cause serious respiratory issues which are sometimes fatal.
Following the lead of many European countries, the FDA recalled all propoxyphene containing medicines in late 2010. Some feel the recall should have occurred sooner and are frustrated with the way the health concerns were initially handled. Those who have been diagnosed with heart problems after using these drugs are now seeking compensation from the companies that made and sold them.
If you or a family member has been injured by a medicine, there are things you can do as well. First, consider speaking with an attorney. They can help determine if you should be a party to a lawsuit. If you have had financial or health consequences from using these medicines it is important to seek out an attorney familiar with this issue as soon as possible.
As more people are made aware of the problems with Darvocet and other drugs like it, the lawsuits against the companies that make them will increase. Those who have been injured or made to lose time from work deserve compensation. There are attorneys working on these cases throughout the country, so do not hesitate to contact one if you have experienced any problems after taking these drugs.
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