About Darvocet
Darvocet's active ingredients are propoxyphene, a narcotic (opiate)
pain medication (analgesic), and acetaminophen (a non-narcotic pain
medication), which relieves pain better than either medication taken
alone. propoxyphene acts on the central nervous system and smooth muscle
tissue, slowing the central nervous system. It is not clear exactly
how acetaminophen works to ease pain.
Darvocet is only available by prescription.
Darvocet has few side effects when taken as recommended by
your doctor, but some cautions should be observed. Interactions
may occur with certain medications that could alter or increase
the effect of either Darvocet, or the other medication. Darvocet
should never be used in combination with other painkillers
except under the supervision and direction of your doctor.
While Darvocet is a highly effective pain reliever, it has
been associated with an increased risk of addiction when used
improperly, or for too long. Never take Darvocet in greater
doses, or for a longer period of time, than recommended by
your doctor.
Darvocet Side Effects
Darvocet side effects are usually mild, and tend to diminish over
time. As with all narcotic pain medications, it can impair performance.
Driving or operating heavy machinery is not advised, as Darvocet
can interfere with mental and physical abilities. Become familiar
with your reaction to Darvocet before performing potentially hazardous
tasks while taking it.
Common Darvocet side effects: are constipation, dizziness,
dry mouth, headache, itching, nausea, sedation, sweating, vomiting,
or weakness. If you feel lightheaded or nauseous, lying down may
alleviate these symptoms.
Breathing: High doses of Darvocet, or patient sensitivity,
can cause breathing irregularity or other respiratory depression.
Respiratory depression is the most serious likely side effect of
Darvocet, and may be more likely with certain combinations of medication.
Check the drug interaction list carefully, and be cautious with
any drug that slows the central nervous system or 'may cause drowsiness.'
If you have breathing difficulties, Darvocet may not be right for
you.
Head Injuries: Propoxyphene's narcotic effects can cause
an increase of pressure in the cerebral and spinal fluid. If a patient
has suffered a head injury, both the pressure increase and the respiratory
suppression can be exaggerated. propoxyphene may interfere with
an accurate diagnosis or treatment of head injuries.
Acute Abdominal Conditions: Darvocet may interfere with diagnosis and treatment of acute abdominal conditions.
Dependence: Mental and physical dependence can develop if
Darvocet is used for long periods of time. Long use of propoxyphene
can create a tolerance condition where the medication no longer
works at the initial dosage. Acetaminophen is not known to cause
dependence.
Overdose: Propoxyphene overdose is characterized by slowed
breathing, extreme drowsiness progressing to stupor or coma, limp
muscles, or cold, clammy skin. Severe propoxyphene overdose may
result in death due to cardiac arrest or stopped breathing. Acetaminophen
overdose can result in severe liver poisoning, but rarely has this
effect in doses under 10g. An overdose of acetaminophen may not
show symptoms for two to four days, but must be treated within twenty-for
hours to prevent liver damage or death. Seek emergency medical treatment
immediately if you suspect an overdose.
Darvocet dosage for adults is usually started at 1-2 tablets every
4 hours at a dosage of 50-100mg, and may be increased gradually
if patient develops a tolerance or is in extreme pain. If you have
a kidney or liver condition, or are a senior, your doctor may prescribe
less frequent dosing. Severe side effects rarely occur at the prescribed
dosage of Darvocet.
Many cases of drug overdose involving prescription medications
are related to mixing drugs that accelerate each other's effects.
Never mix a powerful medication like Darvocet with another prescription
drug that you or your physician suspect may not be safe. Never mix
Darvocet with over the counter medications that have not been approved
by your doctor or pharmacist, and avoid mixing it with street drugs
of any type. Ignoring drug interaction warnings has resulted in
fatal overdose in some patients.
Cautions: Darvocet should be prescribed with caution to patients
with Addison's disease or kidney, liver, thyroid, or urogenital
tract problems. Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic
reaction to Darvocet, or any other medication.
Darvocet Interactions
Darvocet works by slowing the central nervous system. It should
be used with caution with other drugs that have similar effects.
Darvocet can change or increase the effects of certain drugs, and
your physician should be advised if you are taking any of the following.
- Alcohol - Propoxyphene and alcohol can accelerate central nervous
system depression. Avoid mixing the two, as this could result
in a fatal overdose. Alcohol use combined with acetaminophen can
accelerate or increase the risk of liver damage or stomach bleeding.
- Anticonvulsant/Antiseizure medication may interact with your
treatment. Be especially cautious if you use Tegretol (carbamazepine),
as serious neurological disorders may result. Only your doctor
can advise if this combination is safe.
- Antihistamines like Tavist or Benadryl
- Aspirin (or any salicylate, such as salicylamide, or salicylic
acid) can cause kidney or liver damage when taken in high doses,
and over long periods of time, in combination with acetaminophen.
When taken in the recommended doses, for a short time, it has
not been seen to produce this effect.
- Benzodiazepines (a class of antidepressants, anti-panic agents,
and muscle relaxants) such as Ativan
(lorazepam), Valium (diazepam),
Halcion (triazolam), Restoril (temazepam), Librium(chlordiazepoxide),
Xanax (alprazolam),
Tranxene-SD (clorazepate), Paxipam (halazepam), ProSom (estazolam),
Klonopin (clonazepam),
and others, should be used cautiously with Darvocet.
- Coumadin (warfarin) - Increased risk of bleeding.
- Desyrel (trazodone) - Risk of additive
CNS depression.
- MAO inhibitors - Propoxyphene must not be mixed with MAO (monoamine
oxidase) inhibitors such as the antidepressants Nardil, Marplan,
or Parnate. It should not be used within 2 weeks of stopping these
medications.
- Narcotic pain medication of any other kind, like Codeine, Demerol
(meperidine), Buprenex (buprenorphine), Darvon (propoxyphene
hcl), Dilaudid (hydromorphone), MS Contin or Kadian (morphine),
nalbuphine, OxyContin
(propoxyphene), Stadol (butorphanol), Talwin compound (pentazocine),
Vicodin (hydrocodone, acetaminophen),
or Vicoprofen (hydrocodone, ibuprofen)
should not be mixed with Darvocet.
- Norflex (orphenadrine)
- Risk of oversedation.
- Oral contraceptives - These may interact with acetaminophen
- Sedatives like Fioricet
(butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine), Fiorinal,
Phenobarbitol, Seconal, or other barbiturates.
- Sleep medication like Ambien
(zolpidem), Sonata (zaleplon),
or over the counter sleeping pills should be used with propoxyphene
only as, and if, advised by your doctor.
- Skeletal muscle relaxants - such as Flexeril
(cyclobenzaprine), Skelaxin
(metaxalone), Soma (carisoprodol),
or Robaxin (methocarbamol)
may increase respiratory depression when mixed with propoxyphene.
- Street drugs of any type must never be mixed with Darvocet
as this could result in a fatal overdose.
- Tranquilizers such as Haldol (haloperidol), Mellaril (thioridazine),
or Thorazine (chlorpromazine) may cause oversedation.
- Trexan (naltrexone) - Causes narcotic pain medication to be
ineffective.
- Tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil
(amitriptyline), Asendin (amoxapine), Anafranil (clomipramine),
Pertofrane or Norpramin (desipramine), Sinequan
(doxepin), Tofranil (imipramine), Aventyl or Pamelor (nortriptyline),
Vivactil (protriptyline), and Surmontil (trimipramine), may increase
the central nervous system suppressant effects from either the
antidepressant, or the propoxyphene.
- Ultram (tramadol)
- Zidovudine (AZT, Retrovir) - Narcotic pain medication increases
blood levels of this drug, potentially making side effects more
severe.
In addition to the above medications, tell your doctor if you are
using any other major antidepressants or central nervous system
depressants in combination with Darvocet. Be cautious about taking
Darvocet with any medicine warning that it 'may cause drowsiness.'
Do not mix this propoxyphene-acetaminophen combination with over the
counter pain medication; acetaminophen can cause liver damage when
mixed with certain pain medications. Check any cold or flu medication
you may need to take to be sure it does not contain additional pain
medication.
Darvocet Dosages
Darvocet dosage for adults is usually started at one one or two
tablets every four hours, as needed. The tablets are capsule shaped,
dark orange, with "Darvocet-N" printed in black. Either
"50" or "100" will be printed below, depending
on the capsule's dosage of propoxyphene napsylate.
Darvocet is manufactured in the following dosages (propoxyphene /
acetaminophen):
- Darvocet-N 50 mg/ 325 mg tablets
- Darvocet-N 100 mg/ 650 mg tablets
Darvocet Directions
If you miss a dose of Darvocet, take it as soon as you remember.
If you are more than halfway through your dose interval, skip the
missed dose and go back to your schedule. Taking double doses of
Darvocet is not recommended, as it may lead to an overdose or dependence.
Do not crush tablets before taking, as this could release the drug
into the bloodstream too fast, possibly resulting in an overdose.
Darvocet and Pregnancy
Darvocet has not been well studied for effects during pregnancy.
Caution is advised in prescribing Darvocet to pregnant women.
Babies born to mothers taking opiates like propoxyphene can experience withdrawal symptoms after birth. The propoxyphene withdrawal symptoms in the baby may include: irritability, hyperactivity, tremors, faster breathing, increased stools, fever, vomiting, sneezing, and yawning. The severity of the symptoms is not always tied to how much, or how long the mother used propoxyphene (or other opiate).
Darvocet and Children
Darvocet has not been well studied for effects on children.
Darvocet and Seniors
Darvocet does not seem to affect the senior population differently,
but your doctor may recommend dosages that are farther apart.
There is a higher occurrence among the elderly of Addison's disease
or kidney, liver, thyroid, or urogenital tract problems. Darvocet
should be prescribed with care to these patients, and the elderly
may have to be watched more carefully for respiratory depression.
Darvocet should be used cautiously with any patient in a weakened
condition.
Darvocet and Darvon are trademarks of Lilly
Back to top
This document is provided for information only. It is not a substitute for consultation with a physician, either to diagnose symptoms or prescribe treatment. Any dosages mentioned are general guidelines only, please follow the directions of your doctor or pharmacist exactly when taking medication. We have made every effort to ensure that this information is accurate, but only your doctor can say if a medication, or drug combination, is safe for you. Information intended for US residents only.
|
