Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals, makers of Darvocet and Darvon, are really in trouble now. The company has now found themselves in the middle of a $10 million dollar lawsuit filed by a New York woman who claims that Darvocet has ruined her life. 31 year old Kristine Esposito suffered near fatal heart problems after taking Darvocet. Shortly after taking the drugs, she developed a severe case of heart arrhythmia.
A Lawsuit From New York
The lawsuit filed by Kristine Esposito is the first against Xanodyne that mentions heart problems. The case claims that she underwent invasive heart surgery in order to save her life, and that she will have to be treated for her issues for the rest of her life.
The FDA and Darvocet
The FDA has recently banned all drugs containing propoxyphene, like Darvocet. First introduced in 1957, Darvocet has grown to reach over 10 million people in 2009 alone. The FDA, once they had banned the drug, released a statement saying, “The pain relief benefit no longer outweighed the health risks.” Although the ban was the right move, it may have come too late since it came 53 years after the drug Darvocet was introduced.
The FDA acted after a study done independently was done showing that propoxyphene, the active ingredient in Darvocet and Darvon, can alter the electrical charges inside the heart causing many lethal heart problems. The study also found that the elderly, and those with kidney problems were at a greater risk.
Xanodyne in Even Greater Trouble
The lawsuit filed in New York is just one of what will become a sea of lawsuits filed against Xanodyne, the makers of Darvocet. The most recent case filed against them comes from New Orleans, and is a class action lawsuit, seeking to make the company pay for all of those that they have hurt. Even more lawsuits are expected to be filed.
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