Darvocet Side Effects

From Pharmacy Drug Guide

Darvocet is a narcotic painkiller that used to be prescribed to relieve mild to moderate pain. Darvocet is a combination of acetaminophen and the opiod propoxyphene. Darvocet side effects include severe cardiac disorders such as irregular heartbeat, heart attack and cardiac arrest, even at prescribed levels.^[1]

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered the drug's withdrawal from the market in November, 2010, after determining that the potentially-serious side effects outweigh its benefits.^[2] Furthermore, the FDA later restricted acetaminophen content in acetaminophen/opiate combination drugs to 325 mg per dosage in order to protect consumers from some of the dangers of drugs like Darvocet.^[1]

Contents 1 Common Darvocet Side Effects 2 Darvocet Allergic Reactions 3 Drug Side Effects 4 Darvocet Precautions and Warnings 5 References

Common Darvocet Side Effects

Common Darvocet side effects include lightheadedness, dizziness, sleepiness, headache, and gastrointestinal distress such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, and stomach pain.

Severe, less-common side effects include urinary tract symptoms like a change in the amount of urine produced and dark-colored urine, mental confusion, hallucinations, mood changes and persistent vision changes. These adverse reactions may require immediate medical intervention.^[4]

Darvocet Allergic Reactions

Patients who are allergic to acetaminophen, propoxyphene, or sulfite may experience an allergic reaction to Darvocet.^[1] Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:

• Swelling of the tongue or lips
• Difficulty breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Rash
• Hives or itching
• Tightening of the throat or chest
• Loss of consciousness^[1]

These symptoms may require immediate medical attention.

Drug Side Effects

Darvocet Precautions and Warnings

Although the FDA pulled Darvocet from the market in late 2010, supplies of the drug may still be available. Darvocet was withdrawn because of severe cardiac side effects, including heart attack and cardiac arrest, even when taken at the prescribed dose.^[2] In addition to Darvocet, the FDA has removed all drugs with propoxyphene from the market for safety concerns.^[3]

• Darvocet has potential for abuse and should be stored in a safe place to avoid accidental or deliberate misuse.
• Mixing Darvocet with grapefruit juice, may cause a harmful interaction.
• Drinking alcohol can increase the risk of serious side effects with Darvocet.
• Overdoses of Darvocet, whether intentional or not, can be fatal as soon as an hour after taking the drug.
• Darvocet is not safe for patients who have expressed suicidal thoughts or who have made suicide attempts.^[4]
• Darvocet causes drowsiness, and may make it unsafe to drive a car.
• Patients planning surgery are advised to inform their surgeon (or dentist for oral surgery) of Darvocet use.
• The following medications may have a harmful interaction when taken with Darvocet:^[1]
  • monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI)
  • other pain medications, anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medicines, muscle relaxants, anti-nausea medicines, or tranquilizers
  • anticoagulants like warfarin (Coumadin)
  • anticholinergics
  • diuretics
  • medications for high blood pressure or irregular heart beat
  • birth control pills
  • amotrigine
  • probenecid
  • zidovudine

Also See: Drug Side Effects, Prescription Drugs, Acetaminophen, Tylenol Side Effects, NIH, Tylenol Recall, Percocet Side Effects, Vicodin Side Effects, Oxycodone Side Effects

References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5} http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000015/
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/UCM234301.pdf
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} http://pain.emedtv.com/darvocet/darvocet-generic-names.html
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DrugSafety/UCM187067.pdf