What is Darvocet?

Darvocet is a potent prescription drug that contains a combination of propoxyphene and acetaminophen. Propoxyphene is an opioid (narcotic) that helps relieve pain. At the same time, acetaminophen is a fever reducer and a less potent pain reliever that aids in increasing the pain-relieving effects of propoxyphene. People usually buy Darvocet online to relieve pain ranging from moderate to severe levels, either with or without fever. There have been reports of this drug affecting the heart even in people taking regular doses. Darvocet is used for purposes not enlisted in the medication guide.

What to do before taking Darvocet?

It would be best if you did not take Darvocet if you are allergic to propoxyphene or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Darvocet can be a habit-forming drug used by the individual it was prescribed for. Never share this medicine with someone else, especially if the person has a history of drug abuse or addiction. We advise you to keep the medication bottle in a place where others cannot get it.

Do not take Darvocet if you have been using an MAO inhibitor such as phenelzine (Nardil), furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), selegiline (Eldepryl, Zelapar, Emsam), rasagiline (Azilect), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the previous two weeks. It can cause a dangerous drug interaction resulting in severe side effects;

To ensure Darvocet is safe and secure to use, share your medical history with the healthcare professional, especially if you have ever had any of the following conditions:

• liver disease or kidney disease;
• breathing disorders such as asthma, sleep apnea (interrupted breathing during sleep);
• COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease);
• a pancreas or gallbladder disease;
• suicidal thoughts or behavior;
• a stomach or intestinal disorder;
• a history of a brain tumor or head injury; or
• mental health disorder, or a past drug or alcohol addiction

Tell your healthcare professional if you consume more than three alcoholic beverages in a day or have ever had alcoholic liver disease (or cirrhosis). Your health expert may ask you not to take any medication that contains acetaminophen.

Pregnancy and Lactation Warnings

Darvocet belongs to the FDA category C, which states that it is unknown whether this drug will be harmful to an unborn baby. But Darvocet could cause breathing issues, addiction, or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn baby. Tell your healthcare professional if you are pregnant or planning to conceive during treatment with this medicine to stay on the safe side. Acetaminophen and propoxyphene (components of Darvocet) are likely to pass through the breastmilk and may cause harm to a nursing infant. It would be best not to take this medicine without telling your health expert if you are breastfeeding a nursing infant.

How to take Darvocet?

Healthcare professionals prescribe Darvocet to relieve mild to moderate levels of pain. Your health expert (doctor or pharmacist) may assign and adjust your Darvocet doses individually depending on the severity of your pain, medical condition, medicinal requirements, and initial response to treatment with an opioid. If you need surgery, tell the dentist or surgeon ahead of time that you are taking this drug or any other medicine that contains acetaminophen or propoxyphene. If this happens, you may need to discontinue the use of this medicine for a short duration.

Dosing Information

An acetaminophen overdose can cause irreversible damage to the liver. So, adults should not administer more than 1 gram (1000 mg) of acetaminophen (Tylenol) per dose or four gms (4000 mg) in a day. If you drink three or more alcoholic beverages in a day, you should never administer more than two gms (2000 mg) of acetaminophen per day.

Darvocet Withdrawal symptoms

Sudden discontinuation of Darvocet, especially after extended use in high doses, can result in unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Your healthcare professional may prescribe lower doses during the final phase of treatment with this medicine to reduce the risk.

Darvocet Overdose

  An overdose of this drug can be fatal and occur with the following symptoms:

• extreme drowsiness
• nausea and vomiting
• cold and clammy skin
• seizure (or convulsions)
• blue-colored lips
• slow or uneven heart rate
• weak pulse
• fainting, shallow breathing
• breathing that stops

Darvocet Storage

Store Darvocet away from heat and moisture at room temperature. So, keep track of the quantity of medicine used for each new bottle. It is a drug of abuse, and you need to be aware if anyone is taking your medication without telling you or without a prescription.

Things to avoid while taking this medicine

Darvocet can cause impairment in your thinking or reactions. So, do not perform any such activities that require you to alert or be careful if you drive or perform any activity that requires alertness. Ask a healthcare professional (doctor or pharmacist) before taking any other allergy, pain, cold, or sleep medication. Acetaminophen (abbreviated as “APAP”) is a component in several combination medicines. Taking specific products together can damage your system due to excess acetaminophen. Check the label to see if a drug contains acetaminophen or APAP to ensure your safety. Also, remember that alcohol consumption can increase specific side effects of Darvocet.

What are the side effects of Darvocet?

Take immediate medical help if you have any symptoms of an allergic reaction to this drug: hives, trouble breathing, swelling in some body parts (such as the face, tongue, lips, or throat).

Call your healthcare professional at once if you have a severe side effect such as:

• feeling short of breath, chest pain;
• seizure (or convulsions);
• slow heartbeat, shallow breathing, feeling like you might pass out;
• unusual thoughts or behavior, confusion;
• jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin), nausea, loss of appetite, stomach pain, dark urine, itching, clay-colored stools

Less severe or more common Darvocet side effects may include:

• mild nausea, constipation, upset stomach, vomiting;
• feeling dizzy or drowsy;
• dry mouth; or
• blurred vision, headache

Darvocet Drug Interaction

Allergy or cold medicine, muscle relaxers, sleeping medications, antidepressants, or seizure (or convulsions) medicines can add to the sleepiness caused by Darvocet or make your breathing shallow.

Tell your healthcare professional if you regularly take any of the following drugs or any other opioid (narcotic) medications:

• birth control pills (or contraceptives);
• a blood thinner including warfarin (Coumadin) or aspirin;
• St. John’s wort;
• dexamethasone (Hexadrol, Decadron);
• a diuretic (or water pill) such as furosemide (Lasix);
• an antidepressant such as nefazodone;
• an antibiotic drug such as rifapentine (Priftin); clarithromycin (Biaxin), rifampin (Rifater, Rifadin, Rifamate), erythromycin (EryPed, E.E.S., Erythrocin, Ery-Tab) or rifabutin (Mycobutin);
• antifungal drugs including itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), fluconazole (Diflucan), or voriconazole.

Other categories that may interact with Darvocet include barbiturates, HIV or AIDS medicines, heart or blood pressure medication, and seizure treatment.