Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Darvon and Darvocet will Stay on the Market

I know many of you who take Darvon or Darvocet have been concerned ever since the FDA announced that it was considering a Public Citizen petition to remove these and other drugs containing propoxyphene from the market due to the high risk of overdose in patients taking them.  You'll be relieved ...
7/ 8/09 4:02pm
I do understand the concern of not wanting meds available to the general public but I believe that the general public needs to be listened to a bit more. Think.............how many have taken these meds..............think..................what are their side affects? Now, I will use one drug as a referance.....Topamax!!!!! Now when first having this med prescribed off the label lmost doctor's new nothing and that is nothing about topamax. Even when Topa was okayed with FDA for other Doctor prescribed diagnoses the Doc and most all sales reps still were not familiar with the drug. From reading forums that were not monitored or set up in anyway that they are today they got alot of their info. It became that the Pharmacists was the person to speak with on the med because of all the customer feedback (s)he would get. The Doc's still rely on the Pharmacist very much. That is all I am saying. One of the well know Neuro. here in our town wrote an article in a local magazine a couple years back when a certaqin med was removed. His article was so informative. He said the risk and the side affects of this med did not outway in any manner the good that it did. I can't remember the name but it was a pain med. SO, I do know I am glad that the FDA is here. I am not sure how much I want the government in Washington involved though. Confusing... I do know though I really appreciate the info Karen makes available to everyone here. In the busy schedule many of us have we are not able to go through all are emai(s). When I see Karen's name I do know that is one email I want to read because it always has the most up to date info available and most important info that I need to know. Again..........THANK YOU Karen for all you info and especially your time!!!! Marlene S.
7/10/09 3:03pm

Many years ago, Darvon and Darvocet were the first medications prescribed by my regular physician for chronic back and neck pain.  I recall they were somewhat effective but they also resulted in side effects that included sleepiness and euphoria. 

 

The newer and much stronger narcotic medications that I took later provided much better pain management with fewer side effects so long as their dosages were carefully controlled.  (I now have an implanted intrathecal morphine pump and rarely take oral medications). 

 

Those who still rely on propoxyphene containing medications should ask their doctors for other pain control prescriptions that should work as well or better.  The debate on the overall effectiveness of propoxyphene has been going on for some time and the public should be prepared for their eventual removal from the market.

11/22/10 2:42am

I am glad to hear that you got some relief.  I am a pharmacist and I am upset about what is going on with Darvocet.  I had spinal surgery in 1999 and ended up with worse complications.  I was on oxycontin 240mg a day plus frozen ice on my back at least 16 hours.  I went to a top pain specialist for the morphine pump and was told I didnot repeat didnot take enough pain medication.  If I had the pump I could do the job that I love.  I agree the pump is great but not everyone is able to receive it.  So after 2 & 1/2 years of oxycontin I took myself off of it because it was getting to expensive.  I then took methadone and that is a wicked medication.  I did not last long with that and remember very little during that time.  So. I called my pain management Dr. and took my self off of that.  I ended up with Darovcet as one of my four medications, still use ice everyday (and my ice packs are hard as a rock)  my  back looks like a freak show because of the discoloration from the ice.  I also use a tens unit when needed.  I try to safe it for longer times out because it breaks down my tisssue. I cannot take T3s or vicodin so I am screwed if is this happens. All medications have some risk but if a patient is aware and still takes it give them the chance.  There is alot of people who cannot take those another medications and what are they suppose to do? Just because you have a positive outcome doesn't mean that will happen with everyone.  I have tried many different doctors (with them having all my medical info from other doctors), medications, injections and even hypotherapy. So, please understand that I am not alone and if I cannot get my medication I don't know what will happen.  

Anonymous
Anonymous
7/17/09 7:45pm

I have Lupus and much pain in my ligaments and joints from the Lupus plus degenerative disk disease....knee surgery, foot surgery and more.  My Rhumatologist

has been helpful in letting me try different pain relief including epidurals on my back

and neck.  Darvocet is the ONLY pain medication that I have taken for years.

I have NEVER become addicted to it.  I take it as NEEDED.....I don't crave it and when I feel better I don't take it for weeks sometimes.  It helps me to have a better life and if they did discontinue it.......then I probably would be given someting that could become addicting because my pain cripples me at times.

Thanks for reading,

12/11/10 10:43am

Is this true? is it still on as of today 12/11/10?

12/13/10 6:43am

Yes it is true that the recall is still on Lilley. What's more, the seriousness of the effects of darvon are reflected in a rise of lawsuits involving Darvon and Darvocet, now that the reality of the drug's potentially harmful side effects has been officially acknowledged. A Daily News article published only the other day reports on a 31 yr old woman from Queens, NY filing a lawsuit against the makers of Darvon - Xanodyne pharmaceuticals.  The woman is filing a lawsuit on the grounds that the drug was responsible for her developing arrhythmia.  An attorney from New York based lawfirm Parker Waichman Alonso LLP will be representing her, it is stated.

12/11/10 10:47am

I just saw my doctor and he said if there is a big enough outcry from everyone it will come back. But it has to be a big outcry for Darvocet and it has to be loud! So flood the FDA with e-mails and calls and faxes. Tie up their systems and we can get our medicine back.

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