Get Informed: Darvocet
Active Ingredient(s)
Propoxyphene HCl and Acetaminophen
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of mild to moderate pain with or without accompanying fever. It is a narcotic that binds to the opioid receptors of the central nervous system producing pain relief and sedation.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-19 8:32 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-19 9:03 PM
Other Names
- Darvocet
- Darvocet-N
- Darvocet A500
- Propoxyphene Napsylate with Acetaminophene
- Propoxyphene HCl and Acetaminophen
- Propoxacet-N
- CO Proxamol
- Distalgesic
- CO Proxamol Sandoz
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
Black Box Warning
This product has a black box warning relating to its increased risk of accidental death by overdose, especially when used with other narcotics or alcohol, and an increased risk of purposeful deaths in depressed or suicidal patients.
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 03 Sep 1976
- Est US Patients*
- 904,700
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Darvocet or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Darvocet Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Darvocet used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 6,000 patients that use Darvocet (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Pain-Generalized | 47% | 
|
| Back/Neck Pain | 44% |
|
| Osteoarthritis | 28% |
|
| Fibromyalgia | 16% |
|
| Migraine/Headache | 9% |
|
| Ankylosing Spondylitis | 7% | 
|
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | 5% | 
|
| Psoriatic Arthritis | 2% |
|
| Irregular/Painful Periods | 2% |
|
| Other | 12% |
|
How well does Darvocet work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 6,000 users taking Darvocet (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 79%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Darvocet outweigh the bad things.
- 11%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Darvocet.
Common Side Effects of Darvocet
iGuard regularly polls our more than 6,000 users taking Darvocet (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
26% of patients experience side-effects on Darvocet
6% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Darvocet
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Constipation
-
Grogginess/Confusion
-
Dizziness
-
Bloating/Gas
-
Heartburn/Reflux
-
Drowsiness
-
Itch/Rash
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Dryness, Fatigue, Insomnia, Mood/Behavior Changes, Vivid Dreams
Global Patient Feedback for Darvocet (Propoxyphene HCl and Acetaminophen) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I have taken Darovcet for about 5 years now. I do not mix it with other drugs. I use it for pain during the day because it does not make me sleepy. No problems with it.
I use Some for my night time pain, it helps me rest and get the sleep that I need. The only bad thing about Soma is you build a tolerance fast so therefore I can only take it a couple times a week, not on a nightly basics.
55 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-08 11:45:59
Question/Comment:
In 1978 I got a blood Clot in my lower left leg, from taking Birth control pill, I was only on the pills for 2 weeks when I got a bruise on my leg that was sore to the touch, and I just thought I had bumped into something, and about a week later, the pain got progressly worse, and it became painful to walk, and I started taking Excerin for relief, and it worked as long as I was not walking. I finally had to seek medical help,and was told that a blood clot had formed in my leg, and I was hospitalized for 8 days, duing this time, I had a veinagram performed, and when they inserted the needle into my foot the first time to administer the dye, it was find,they saw the clot. They wanted to do it again to make sure of their findings, but they didn't check the needle, and they shot the dye in my foot again, and I raised up off the table in pain. The needle had jumped out of the vein after the first administer dye dose, and this time all the dye went into the tissue, my foot stay swollen for a few more days, but my DVT has gotten worse throughout the years, the discoloration of my limbs.In 1997 I was placed on comudin a daily regiment of 5 mg, and in 1999, the dose went up to 10 mg, and that is what I am presently taking. About two years ago, 2007, I start having swelling in my tongue, just out of the blue, went to the hospital, and they said they couldn't find the cause, and administered Bendryl, and sent me home. I read a pamplet from the pharmacy, and it clearly stated not to drink or consume any product with cranberry.The light bulb went off, I had been drinking cranberry juice all week long, so I stop the use of cranberry. Now since that time, I will still get swelling in my tongue, in my hands, in my arms, and I am wondering could the possible cause of this be Comudin itself. The symptoms start with itching then the swelling, and it's starting to come more, and more frequent, and I don't feel that it's an allegic reaction.
52 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-10 11:12:32
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Any swelling near the mouth, tongue or lips needs to be evaluated fully to determine the cause. Additional reactions could place you at risk for throat swelling and possible complete air restriction. You need to followup with your prescribing doctor to determine if the Coumadin is causing this issue. In addition you could seek the advice of an allergist to detemine if the cranberry or other food is causing the swelling. Please seek medical attention sooner than later.
Posted: 2010-02-11 21:27:47
Question/Comment:
I am very careful of what I take now. Took a carb cutter in mornings for a couple ofyears...Never had any problems ( didn't take any other medications at the time). In evening I started to come down with a cold and took a comtrex cold pill , which I have also used before withno problem . A hour later my hands and feet had numb sensations and I felt very strange. A hour or so later my throat started swelling shut! I ended up in ER. They gave me a shot to stopthe reaction. They told me the combination of the two was the cause. No warnings about this was on either box but since then the cold medicence does say not to take with any herbel pills which carb cutters were , they can't regulate the dose on them .
Very scarey thing to go through .
I have used darvocet and so has my boyfriend after minor procedures , it works good and hardly any side effects like stronger ones as in sleepy , dizzy or not in right mind effect.
42 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-11 23:51:31
Question/Comment:
My doctor is trying to stop me from using Darvocet. She says it's bad for me and now she says the government is trying to take this drug off the market because it has killed to many people? I csn not take anything else because nothing else works on me. I don't know what to do because I have been taking this since 1986 and it works for me still. What am I going to do. She has given me Morphine to take now and I don't like what they do to me. Seems when I take both together I feel weird. What to do for the future? Please help me.
63 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-07-26 10:49:00
Answer/Reply:
I have been using Darvocet for the last 4 months for pain after shoulder surgery. Recently the FDA made an announcement that all products that have acetomenophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol) should be used sparingly and under close doctor's supervision because it is liver-toxic. Nothing specific has been said about Darvocet. It seems to me that if your doctor has concerns he/she should do a liver enzyme test and make sure your liver is healthy and then monitor the enzymes as long as you are on the medicine. Good luck!
36 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-16 17:20:07
Answer/Reply:
I have been taking Darvocet for many years and find no side affects from taking this medicine. I am thankful that It does assist with my pain. I have chronic leg pain as well as joint pain and at time migraines. I am a 54 year old male who has had fourteen surgeries of which four involve my legs. At the present time nothing over the counter can ease my pain as well as Darvocet. I am not sure what other medicine I would use should this drug be taken off the market.
54 yer old male
54 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-19 18:51:11
Answer/Reply:
I have been on Darvocet for 12 years and am presently being tested for liver problems as a result of the medication. My doctor has taken me off the Darvocet pending the test results. I also use the Fentanyl Patch, 25mcg every 2 days. This has absolutely been wonderful and has made a great difference in my pain level. The Fentanyl in stronger than morphine, but doesn't affect me in any way as far as daily activities including driving and working.
53 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-25 12:56:23
Question/Comment:
About eight years ago I was on Propoxyphene/Darvaset for pain in my feet prescribed by a podiatrist. I was allergic to it, broke out in red splotches all over. I was taken off of it and gave my steroids.. Last year the pain in my feet continued so I went to another podiatrist who told me I have osteoarthritis in my feet.. I went to a rhemautalogist which prescribed Diclofenac, which I was allergic, then prescribed me Meloxicam 15 mg 1 time a day which has worked well..
28 year old osteoarthritis patient..
29 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-07-09 16:01:02
Answer/Reply:
Hello. I have been using Darvocet for a few months now in conjunction with some other medications for fibromyalgia pain. So far, I have had a good experience. My worry is that I will build up tolerance and the medication will become ineffective. I was prescribed Darvocet because I was taking so much asetaminophen and ibuprofen that they were affecting my stomach and liver. I have reduced the amount of pills I take from 20-30 a day (acetaminopehn and ibuprofen) to about 4-5 as needed for pain. I feel, for me, Darvocet was a good addition.
34 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-07-23 16:35:50
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Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
49
Patient Comments about
Darvocet