FDA Finally Bans Darvon/Darvocet Narcotic Pain Killer Six Years After UK Due to Potentially Lethal Side Effects.

Darvon/Darvocet and other propoxyphene painkillers are being taken by an estimated ten million Americans. I am one of them. I have taken it on and off since my knee surgery in 1980. And then I developed severe back pain that flares up with intolerable pain and now in my 50's I have developed Arthritis. I am certainly not one of those unfortunate people that have to take medication chronically. As most of you know I am a nurse, and taking medication chronically can lead to serious addiction, and Darvon is a narcotic. But when needed it was a great choice for pain relief.

It is estimated that Ten Million Are Taking Darvon/Darvocet as a Painkiller

Well now The FDA has banned this brand or generic drugs that contain propoxyphene from the market. It would seem this drug has been under scrutiny since the 1950s. But new proof of side effects involving the heart causing arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat) for healthy people taking normal doses has been the final straw.

This new banning of Darvon and related derivatives by the FDA is coming six years after this medication has already been banned in the U.K. And the European drug agency banned it nearly 11/2 years ago.

Narcotic Pain Killer Darvon/Darvocet Already Banned In U.K. Six Years Earlier

The FDA was petitioned by the public interest group, Public Citizen, to ban Darvon in 1978 and again in 2006. The 2006 petition caused the FDA to contact an expert advisory committee, which finally in July 2009 voted to ban the drug 14 to 12.

However, the FDA did not listen to their own expert advisory committee immediately, and overruled the decision. They then asked the Darvon/Darvocet maker Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals Inc. to investigate and to perform more studies of the effects on the heart possibly caused by Darvon. It was these results that has currently led to the FDA ban.

The public interest group, Public Citizen angrily blasted the FDA for waiting too long to protect the public.

Public Interest Group, Public Citizen Angrily Blasted the FDA for Taking Too Long

An estimated 10 million Americans are taking Darvocet and other propoxyphene painkillers. They should NOT immediately stop taking the drugs, as there is danger of serious withdrawal symptoms.

A quote from Sidney Wolfe, director of Public Citizen's health research group, says in a news release.

"Due to FDA negligence, at least 1,000 to 2,000 or more people in the U.S. have died from using propoxyphene since the time the U.K. ban was announced,"

Public Citizen director, Wolfe, is calling for congressional investigation into who

"was responsible for the loss of so many lives in this country."

If you are a long time chronic user of Darvon or Darvocet you must not quit the drug suddenly. Talk to your physician about easing off this narcotic and transferring to a different painkiller. There are significant side effects and danger of withdrawing too quickly from a narcotic.

Do Not Suddenly Stop Taking Darvon/Darvocet-Sudden Narcotic Withdrawal Too Dangerous

Some encouraging news is that long term users of Darvon or Darvocet does not have cumulative heart effects. Once you stop taking the medication the side effects experienced already should go away.

I know I will be looking for another avenue of pain relief for when those flare ups happen for me. I urge you to do the same.

Source:

WebMD