Darvon and Darvocet Painkillers Removed from US Markets

The pain medications Darvon and Darvocet (a combination medication of Darvon and acetaminophen) were removed from the US market on November 19th by the manufacturer Xanodyne after a safety study showed heart risk during higher than recommended doses and some heart risk even at recommended doses. The FDA is calling for the generic drug propoxyphene (the active ingredient in Darvon) to also be removed.

An FDA panel recommended the drug be removed from the market in February 2009. In July 2009 the FDA called for a study to test the effects on the heart of using the drug at doses higher than the recommended level. The drug has been banned in the United Kingdom since 2005 and the drug is undergoing a phased withdrawal of the drug from the European Union’s market.