About

Generic name: Propoxyphene napsylate, Acetaminophen
Brand names: Darvon Compound-65, Darvon-N, Darvon, Darvocet-N

Propoxyphene is in a group of drugs called narcotic pain relievers. Acetaminophen is a less potent pain reliever and a fever reducer that increases the effects of propoxyphene. Darvocet (Proxyvon) is used to relieve mild to moderate pain with or without fever.

How to take

Take Darvocet (Proxyvon) 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 Darvocet (Proxyvon) 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. Take with food or milk to ease stomach upset. Drink 6 to 8 full glasses of water daily to help prevent constipation while you are taking Darvocet (Proxyvon). Ask your doctor about ways to increase the fiber in your diet. Do not use a stool softener (laxative) without first asking your doctor. You may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using Darvocet (Proxyvon) after using it over a long period of time. Do not stop using Darvocet suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely. Darvocet (Proxyvon) can cause you to have unusual results with certain urine tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Darvocet (Proxyvon).

Missed dose

Since Darvocet (Proxyvon) is taken as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Warnings and precautions

Do not use Darvocet (Proxyvon) 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. Darvocet should never be given to 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.
Before taking Darvocet (Proxyvon) , tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
*aspirin or a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
*carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol);
* glycopyrrolate (Robinul);
* mepenzolate (Cantil);
* atropine (Donnatal, and others), benztropine (Cogentin), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), methscopolamine (Pamine), or scopolamine (Transderm-Scop);
* bladder or urinary medications such as darifenacin (Enablex), flavoxate (Urispas), oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol), tolterodine (Detrol), or solifenacin (Vesicare);
* a bronchodilator such as ipratropium (Atrovent) or tiotropium (Spiriva); or
* irritable bowel medications such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin, and others), or propantheline (Pro-Banthine).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Darvocet (Proxyvon).
Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use.
This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
* shallow breathing, slow heartbeat;
* feeling light-headed, fainting;
* confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior;
* seizure (convulsions); or
* nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Less serious Darvocet side effects include:
* feeling dizzy or drowsy;
* mild nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, constipation;
* headache;
* blurred vision; or
* dry mouth.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur.

Storage

Store Darvocet (Proxyvon) at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep track of how many tablets have been used from each new bottle of this medicine.