The Darvon recall is facing a great deal of public scrutiny, even though some people might get shocked. This may be because of the fact that the whole world is knows the names Darvon and Darvocet, which both go by the less popular generic name of propoxyphene. This drug, most prescribed by doctors for pain, has been the target of the Food and Drug Administration’s recent investigation. When recent studies proved that Darvon can actually cause the progression of heart problems such as arrhythmias, the FDA has then urged pharmaceutical manufacturers to suspend the production of propoxyphene. However, there were actually previous research studies conducted that held pertinent data regarding the Darvon recall. There are a number of facets that confirm that Darvon is very unsafe for human use.

Thin safety margin: Even at slight dosage increases, the active metabolite of propoxyphene, norpropoxyphene, can be highly toxic on the heart. Increase the dose to four times the prescribed dose, and it can cause sudden drops in the heart rate and breathing. Increase the dose to six times the prescribed dose, and it can cause drug-induced psychosis and seizures. Eventually, cardiac depression, heart attack or stroke may happen—all of which may lead to death if neglected.

Pharmacological ineffectiveness: Compared to other drugs of the same pharmacologic classification, Darvon is not even half as effective. Aspirin, as a matter of fact, may be even more therapeutic in relieving pain symptoms. The adverse effects associated with propoxyphene include, but are not limited to, headache, dizziness, vomiting, allergic reactions, palpitations and chest pain.

Potential for abuse: Some people may not be aware that Darvon is also a narcotic agent, apart from being an analgesic. The degree of how weak it is as a painkiller is equivalent to the degree of how it can addict the patient. Accidental overdosages will most likely predispose the patient to addiction and drug tolerance.

The various experiences of Darvon recall victims are undeniably overwhelming, especially if propoxyphene was once considered as a reasonably safe painkiller. Times do change, and as far as the Darvon recall is concerned, you should be aware of the facts they hold.

The severity of the current issue concerning DePuy Orthopaedics might have already sunk in for them. After all, they are not an unpopular company, for Johnson & Johnson owns them. They have been even more infamous for creating the ASR implants, the ASR XL Acetabular System and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System, that have been confirmed defective and unfit for human use by many research studies. This was after the Food and Drug Administration took control, after they have been bombarded with complaints from many angry patients. DePuy was left with no other choice but to announce a recall on their metal hip implants, but this will certainly not stop the patients to sue the company. In fact, an attorney estimates that DePuy might face at least 4, 000 hip recall lawsuits.

As what most reports have claimed, the ASR implants were made with metal-on-metal elements, in contrast to other hip implants invented by other manufacturers that have ceramic or metal-on-plastic components. Perhaps this unique characteristic DePuy made, on top of being a Johnson & Johnson division, was what interested the public—something different, from a reputable company. However, this so-called metal-on-metal patent was the main reason why the hip replacement surgery failed for most of the patients. The friction within the defective devices apparently shed off metal debris, and these minute particles managed to seep their way through the bloodstream, causing a state called metallosis. This is the state wherein metal components, such as cobalt and chromium, are present in the blood in such toxic values that are enough to cause complications like heart problems, fractures and permanent disability.

4,000 lawsuits seems like a big figure, enough to scare the wits out of DePuy; but you ought to think about the 93, 000 American recipients, and how the implants have the potential to affect one in every eight of them. More victims are probably out there, contemplating on the thought if filing a DePuy recall lawsuit is indeed the right thing to do. Hip recall lawyers will most certainly say that suing the company might be the wisest act you can make, because your rights are defended, and you are entitled to claim the compensation.