Public Citizen is asking that Darvon and its generic versions be banned, since they have been linked to thousands of deaths.
Public Citizen asked the FDA to ban propoxyphene which is sold by Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals under the brand Darvon. P.C. claims that Darvon contributed to 2,110 deaths between 1981 and 1999.
In 2005 a British agency announced a phased withdrawal.
FDA spokeswoman Laura Alvey confirmed that the agency received the petition and would review it carefully but could not comment further.
Twenty-three million propoxyphene-based U.S. prescriptions were filled in 2004, making it the 12th top-selling generic drug with $291 million in sales, according to the petition.
Sources: Public Citizen, internet everywhere.
