Darvocet-N (Propoxyphene Napsylate and Acetaminophen) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

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May 26, 2012

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Types of Pain Medications »

For what conditions are pain medications used?

Virtually any disease as well as most injuries and surgical procedures involve some degree of pain. It's not surprising, then, that pain medications, also known as analgesics, are among the most commonly used drugs in the U.S. Pain can range from minor, acute complaints, such as a muscle sprain, to chronic, severe pain, such as that sometimes experienced by cancer patients. Some drugs used for other conditions also are effective at relieving certain types of pain. These drugs include certain drugs used for depression, epilepsy, and anxiety.

What are the differences among the types of pain medications?

Pain medications can be broadly classified into two categories: prescription and nonprescription. In the latter category are several mild anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, naproxen), as well as acetaminophen. These are mainly meant for use with short-term, acute pain -- menstrual cramps,...

Read the Types of Pain Medications article »

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Please Note: This Brand Name drug is no longer available in the US.
(Generic versions may still be available.)

Darvocet-N Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking acetaminophen and propoxyphene (Darvocet-N)?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to acetaminophen (Tylenol) or propoxyphene.

Propoxyphene may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Propoxyphene should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.

Do not use acetaminophen and propoxyphene if you have taken an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. Serious, life threatening side effects can occur if you use acetaminophen and propoxyphene before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take acetaminophen and propoxyphene:

asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders;
liver or kidney disease;
a history of head injury or brain tumor;
a gallbladder or pancreas disorder;
low blood pressure;
a stomach or intestinal disorder;
mental illness; or
a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

Tell your doctor if you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day or if you have ever had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis). You may not be able to take medication that contains acetaminophen.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether acetaminophen and propoxyphene is harmful to an unborn baby, but it could cause breathing problems or addiction/withdrawal symptoms in a newborn. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Acetaminophen and propoxyphene can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take acetaminophen and propoxyphene (Darvocet-N)?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.

An overdose of acetaminophen can cause serious harm to your liver. The maximum amount of acetaminophen for adults is 1 gram (1000 mg) per dose and 4 grams (4000 mg) per day. One acetaminophen and propoxyphene tablet may contain up to 650 mg of acetaminophen. Know the amount of acetaminophen in the specific product you are taking.

Take this medicine with a full glass of water.

Ask your doctor about ways to prevent constipation while you are taking acetaminophen and propoxyphene. Do not use a stool softener (laxative) without your doctor's advice.

You may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using acetaminophen and propoxyphene after using it over a long period of time. Do not stop using this medication suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain urine tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using acetaminophen and propoxyphene.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using acetaminophen and propoxyphene. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Store acetaminophen and propoxyphene at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. Propoxyphene is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.

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