What is Darvocet?
Darvocet in the News Public Citizen, a national non-profit consumer advocacy organization, petitioned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to immediately begin phasing out Darvon (Darvocet) products from the market. Public Citizen alleges that the drug has been associated with more than 2,000 accidental deaths, is physically addictive, and is no more effective than safer alternatives. Click here to read more from Public Citizen.
Propoxyphene is in a group of drugs called narcotic pain relievers. Acetaminophen is a less potent pain reliever and a fever reducer that increases the effects of propoxyphene. Darvocet is used to relieve mild to moderate pain with or without fever. Darvocet may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Structurally, it’s a relative of the synthetic narcotic, methadone. It’s prescribed in two forms- propoxyphene hydrochloride and propoxyphene napsylate -for relief of mild to moderate pain. Aside from slight differences-the napsylate (or N-form) of propoxyphene is more slowly absorbed in the body and so has a longer duration of action-the two drugs are identical. Both are found in a number of prescription pain medications, including: • Darvon and Darvon-N (propoxyphene only) • Darvon with A.S.A., Darvon-N with A.S.A. (with aspirin) • Darvocet, Darvocet-N, Wygesic (with acetaminophen) • Darvon Compound, Darvon Compound-65 (with aspirin and caffeine) Q) How is Darvocet used? A) Darvocet when abused is taken orally, chewed, crushed (then snorted like cocaine), or crushed (then dissolved in water and injected like heroin). Q) What are the side effects of Darvocet? A) The side effects of Darvocet are: • drowsiness • dizziness • nausea • sedation • vomiting • abdominal pain • constipation •
