Is the Arthritis Painkiller Darvocet Really Dangerous?
Darvocet is a popular medication prescribed to relieve arthritis pain. Darvocet is a combination of acetaminophen and propoxyphene. According to Public Citizen, a National Non-Profit Public Interest Organization, "Darvocet, Darvon, and all medications that contain propoxyphene should be withdrawn from the market". The organization has actually sued the FDA because it failed to act on a petition submitted February 28, 2006. In that petition, Public Citizen stated that propoxyphene:
- is physically and psychologically addictive
- is no more effective than safer alternatives
- has been associated with more than 2,000 accidental deaths in the U.S. since 1981
Propoxyphene was one of the 25 most prescribed generic drugs last year. There were 22 million prescriptions for propoxyphene filled in 2007. According to Public Citizen, "A large proportion of the deaths from propoxyphene occurred because most of the drug is converted into a metabolite that is highly toxic to the heart, lasts longer in the body than the original compound and results in cardiac depression. Adverse cardiac events associated with propoxyphene include an interruption of heart transmission of electrical impulses, slowed heartbeats and a decreased ability of the heart to contract properly." Public Citizen’s book, “Worst Pills, Best Pills,” has listed propoxyphene as a DO NOT USE drug since its first edition in 1988. Public Citizen states in its complaint that darvocet is a relatively ineffective painkiller -- and the pain relief is comparable to ibuprofen.
Arthritis patients and their doctors have the difficult task of finding the best combination of medications that relieve arthritis pain. When a medication is found to be effective, it becomes part of the patient's arthritis treatment regimen. For those who have found darvocet to be an effective pain reliever, the complaint from Public Citizen is alarming. The benefits and risks of all medications must be considered. Discuss the benefits and risks of darvocet or other drugs that contain propoxyphene with your doctor. Your doctor may or may not believe the Public Citizen complaint has merit.
Related Resources:
- The Facts of Painkillers
- 10 Ways to Increase Your Pain
- Pain Management: Ways to Manage Your Pain
- 10 Things You Should Know About Darvocet
- When Are Pain Medications Appropriate for Arthritis Patients?
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Comments
I have Sjo. in the lungs and liver and have been taking 4 pills of Metho once a week since 1999 and am wondering if one of the side effects are related to gallstones or gallbladder/stomach problems down the road….. The other meds are 5ml.Pred., Plaq., Actigall for the liver, 40ml.Protonox, etc,
Thank you,
Sharon
There is a possibility of side effects with any medication. Some side effects are more common than others. Since you take several medications, your concerns should be addressed by your own doctor.
I think that the Public Citizen should keep it’s nose out of everyone else’s business. They must be a bunch of Democrats who think we all need taken care of and can’t decide things for ourselves.
I personally rely on my Dr.’s opinion and take darvocet and have for years thank you very much. It’s my right to and I will if I want to and need to. Mind your own business…We don’t need you to take care of us.
Ibuprofen is not as effective as Darvocet, at least, not for me. Darvocet has been the only pain killer, short of Vicodin, that does anything to the worst of my chronic knee pain. Remember, generalizations are usually not true, at least, not for everyone. And if walking hurt as much for you as it does for me, you’d be willing to try a little risk just to now hurt for a while. I hurt every day, all day; I need a little relief once in a while.