Advocacy Group Wants Darvon Painkillers Phased Out

By Elizabeth Rhein

Published on March 03, 2006

According to the Federal Drug Abuse Warning Network, a collection of autopsy info from US medical examiners has shown that more than five percent of all drug-related deaths since 1986 can be traced to propoxyphene. Most of those deaths were caused when the drug slowed patients' heartbeats and triggered faulty contractions of the heart muscle.

Public Citizen also cites the actions of the British government, which in 2005 announced a phased withdrawal of the painkiller in the United Kingdom due to the drug's high risk of death and limited ineffectiveness.

Rather than calling for an outright ban, Public Citizen would prefer that the FDA announce a phase-out similar to that of the British government. This would allow current patients to be weaned off the addictive medication without problems.

If you or a family member are currently taking Darvon, Darvocet, or a generic version of propoxyphene, you should talk to your doctor about your treatment options.

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