Darvocet Drug Information
Darvocet containing Acetaminophen and Propoxyphene is an analgesic medicine or painkiller used in the treatment of moderate pain that may or may not be accompanied by fever.
Acetaminophen is a non-narcotic analgesic which is antipyretic as well, used to provide relief from mild to moderate pain and reducing fever; while Propoxyphene is a strong narcotic pain-reliever [though weaker than other narcotics] and cough suppressant; it reduces discomfort, though not relieving pain altogether, but has a sedating effect. Besides bringing down the temperature, Acetaminophen enhances the effect of Propoxyphene in providing greater relief to patients who are suffering from pain.
It is believed that painkillers work on the nerve signals in the brain to block what we perceive as “pain”. Because of its’ pain-reducing properties, Darvocet is a very popular drug, but prolonged usage of Propoxyphene is liable to cause psychological and/or physical dependence. If Darvocet is combined with drugs such as anti-depressants, anti-histamines, muscle relaxants, anxiety medications, other antipyretics, sedatives, or alcohol, its effect can be lethal.
As Acetaminophen [also known as Tylenol] is well-tolerated, it is combined with a host of other medications to provide relief from cold and flu, and even sold over-the-counter, but more than 4gm of this medicine should not be taken by an adult in a day. It becomes imperative for patients taking Darvocet, to inform their physician of all medications they are taking, so that inadvertent overdose of Acetaminophen is avoided as it can result in permanent damage to the liver. The right amount of the medicine is beneficial to the patient, so patients must adhere to the dose prescribed by their physician, to derive the full benefit of Darvocet.
Propoxyphene can cause depressed breathing and is used with caution in patients who have a lung disease, or the geriatric population. It can also lead to constipation, so patients taking the medicine are recommended to drink plenty of water/fluids, and have a fiber-rich diet to overcome their dietary problem.
The recommended dose is 1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours, which will be decided by the physician/pediatrician. The medicine should be stored at a room temperature between 15°C-30°C; protect from heat, light and dampness, and keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not share your medicine with anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms [especially a person who has a history of drug addiction], for it can be harmful to them.
Prolonged usage can result in withdrawal symptoms when this treatment is stopped. It is recommended that patients do not take this medicine for long, neither should they stop taking it suddenly, for a sudden stop can also bring about withdrawal symptoms. Consult your treating doctor if you feel the medicine is not working well for you; your physician may wane you off the medicine by decreasing the dosage.
Once your course is over, do not hold back any unused medication for further use, unless advised by your physician. Discard all unused medication properly after consulting with your pharmacist regarding safe disposal methods.
Darvocet can have other uses – do consult your physician.