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Darvocet® Heart Failure

Darvocet® was removed from the market in November 2010 because new study results showed for the first time “that the standard therapeutic dose of propoxyphene can be harmful to the heart,” according to Dr. Gerald Dal Pan, director of the Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology, of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

These harmful side effects include congestive heart failure.

What Is Congestive Heart Failure?

Congestive heart failure results when the pumping heart muscle cannot meet the demands for oxygen of the body’s tissues and organs. The heart doesn’t stop working; it just does not work as efficiently, especially when a person is exercising or is active. Heart failure is usually a chronic, long-lasting disease that develops over time. It can come on suddenly, but does not affect patients as often in this way.

When the heart loses its ability to pump effectively, blood can back up in other body parts. This results in a buildup of fluid is the arms, legs, the lungs, liver, and gastrointestinal tract. 

What Causes Congestive Heart Failure?

Congestive heart failure can have many causes, including:

• Coronary artery disease, one of the most common causes of heart failure (in people with this condition, the small blood vessels that feed the heart muscle with blood and oxygen become narrow)
• Cardiomyopathy (this occurs when an infection weakens the heart muscle)
• Congenital heart disease
• Heart valve disease
• Heart attack
• Some types of abnormal heart rhythms
• Emphysema
• Severe anemia
• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)

Two of these causes in particular, arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) and heart attack, have been linked strongly to the active ingredient in Darvocet®, propoxyphene. All propoxyphene-containing drugs are banned because of the risk of fatal heart problems.

Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure

Symptoms of congestive heart failure usually develop slowly, although after a heart attack or other heart problem, they may develop all at once. At first, they may only occur when someone is especially active. But, as time progresses, the symptoms become more obvious with less and less activity.  Some common symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath with activity
• Cough
• Swelling of the feet and ankles
• Swelling of the abdomen
• Weight gain
• Irregular or rapid pulse
• Heart palpitations
• Trouble sleeping
• Fatigue
• Feeling faint
• Weakness
• Indigestion
• Lack of appetite

Congestive heart failure is a progressive disease that will eventually lead to death.

To speak with an attorney about a possible heart failure claim, please contact us today. We are available to investigate cases for people harmed by Darvocet®, Darvon® and other drugs that contain propoxyphene.

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