Darvon

Generic Name: Propoxyphene (proe POX i feen)
Brand Names: Darvon, Darvon-N, PP-Cap

What is the most important information I should know about Darvon?

• Do not stop taking Darvon suddenly if you have been taking it continuously for more than 5 to 7 days. Stopping suddenly could cause withdrawal symptoms and make you very uncomfortable. Your doctor may want to gradually reduce your dose.

• Do not take Darvon if you suffer from depression or have suicidal thoughts.

• Darvon will cause drowsiness and fatigue. Avoid alcohol, sleeping pills, antihistamines, sedatives, and tranquilizers except under the supervision of your doctor. These may also make you drowsy.

• Darvon will also cause constipation. Drink plenty of water (six to eight full glasses a day) to lessen this side effect. Increasing the amount of fiber in your diet can also help to alleviate constipation.

• Never take more Darvon than is prescribed for you. If your pain is not being adequately treated, talk to your doctor.

What is Darvon?

• Darvon is in a class of drugs called narcotic analgesics. It relieves pain.

• Darvon is used to treat moderate-to-severe pain.

• Darvon may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Darvon Directions

• If you miss a dose of Darvon, 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 Darvon 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.

Darvon Interactions

• Darvon works by slowing the central nervous system. It should be used with caution with other drugs that have similar effects. Darvon can change or increase the effects of certain drugs, and your physician should be advised if you are taking any of the following.

• Alcohol - Darvon 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 Darvon.
• Coumadin (warfarin) - Increased risk of bleeding.
• Desyrel (trazodone) - Risk of additive CNS depression.
• MAO inhibitors - Darvon 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 (Darvon hcl), Dilaudid (hydromorphone), MS Contin or Kadian (morphine), nalbuphine, OxyContin (Darvon), Stadol (butorphanol), Talwin compound (pentazocine), Vicodin (hydrocodone, acetaminophen), or Vicoprofen (hydrocodone, ibuprofen) should not be mixed with Darvon.
• 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 Darvon 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 Darvon.
• Street drugs of any type must never be mixed with Darvon 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 Darvon.
• 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 Darvon. Be cautious about taking Darvon with any medicine warning that it 'may cause drowsiness.'

• Do not mix this Darvon-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.

Who should not take Darvon?

• Darvon is habit forming and should only be used under close supervision if you have an alcohol or drug addiction.

• Darvon should not be taken if you suffer from depression or have suicidal thoughts.

• You may not be able to take Darvon, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

• Darvon may cause addiction and withdrawal symptoms as well as other harmful effects in an unborn baby. Do not take Darvon without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

• Darvon may also cause addiction and withdrawal symptoms in a nursing baby. Do not take Darvon without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

• Children younger than 12 years of age should not take Darvon.

• If you are older than 60 years you may be more likely to experience side effects from Darvon therapy. Use extra caution.

How should I take Darvon?

• Take Darvon exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

• Take each dose with a full glass of water.

• Take Darvon with food or milk if it upsets your stomach.

• Never take more of this medication than is prescribed for you. Too much Darvon could be very harmful. The maximum amount of Darvon that can be taken safely in one day is 390 mg (6 Darvon capsules). Do not exceed this amount.

• Do not stop taking Darvon suddenly if you have been taking it continuously for more than 5 to 7 days. Stopping suddenly could cause withdrawal symptoms and make you feel uncomfortable. Your doctor may want to gradually reduce your dose.

• Increase the amount of fiber and water (six to eight full glasses daily) in your diet to prevent constipation.

• Do not share this medication with anyone else.

• Store Darvon at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose/overdose?

• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Do not take a double dose of this medication. Wait the prescribed amount of time before taking your next dose.

• Seek emergency medical attention.

• Symptoms of a Darvon overdose include slow breathing, seizures, dizziness, weakness, loss of consciousness, coma, confusion, tiredness, cold and clammy skin, and small pupils.

What should I avoid while taking Darvon?

• Avoid alcohol while taking Darvon. Alcohol will greatly increase the drowsiness and dizziness caused by Darvon and could be dangerous.

• Also avoid sleeping pills, tranquilizers, sedatives, and antihistamines except under the supervision of your doctor. These medications also may cause dangerous sedation.

• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Darvon may cause drowsiness. If you experience drowsiness, avoid these activities.

What are the possible side effects of Darvon?

• Darvon is habit forming. Do not stop taking it suddenly.

• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Darvon?

• Darvon may increase the effects of oral anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin), which could lead to bleeding. It may also increase the effects of carbamazepine (Tegretol), which could lead to dangerous side effects. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking either of these medications.

• Do not take Darvon if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. Dangerous side effects could result.

• The most serious interactions affecting Darvon are with those drugs that also cause sedation.

• Do not take any of the drugs listed above without the approval of your doctor.

• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Darvon. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

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