Personal Injury Law

Boston Dangerous Drug: Taking Darvocet or Darvon Can Cause Heart Problems

By Altman & Altman

Pharmaceutical companies, like other manufacturers, must make products that are safe for use. Medications that are defective or dangerous can prove fatal?especially if one takes too much or falls victim to serious side effects. In Massachusetts, you can file a Boston dangerous drug lawsuit over a dangerous prescription drug or over-the-counter med that caused you or a loved one to fall seriously ill, develop serious health issues, or die.

Two drugs that were recently pulled from store shelves were the painkillers Darvocet and Darvon, which are now linked to heart problems. Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals. Inc. and the Food and Drug Administration announced the recall of both drugs and their generic versions late last year.

Darvocet is one of the most commonly prescribed pain meds. The drug has been given to more than 22 million people. However, the FDA has said that the pain relief benefits are not great enough compared to the related risks. Not only that, but, prior to the recall in 2009, the FDA insisted that Darvocet come with a ?black box? warning about its different side effects.

Of course, the 2010 recall is too late for some, including Cornelius Kellehar, who died last November before the drug was pulled off the shelf. He was prescribed both Darvocet and Darvon. According to his widow?s wrongful death lawsuit, he died from heart problems because he used the drugs. Kellehar?s family claims that Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals should have warned patients and doctors about such a dangerous side effect.

Even if a drug manufacturer never intended to make a dangerous drug, the company can still be held liable for Boston products liability if taking the medication causes injury, illness, or death.

Darvon, Darvocet Lawsuit Blames Painkillers for Sudden Death, Newsinferno, January 28, 2011

Manufacturer Pulls Darvon, Darvocet; FDA Wants Generic Makers to Do the Same, ABC News, November 19, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Food and Drug Administration

Full post as published by Boston Injury Lawyer Blog on January 28, 2011 (boomark / email).