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- $Unique_ID{BRK03311}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{propoxyphene}
- $Subject{Darvon Darvon-N Lilly Dolene Lederle hydrochloride Analgesic
- propoxyphene narcotic analgesic central nervous system brain spinal cord mild
- moderate pain}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- propoxyphene
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers)
-
- Darvon (Lilly)
- Darvon-N (Lilly)
- Dolene (Lederle)
- propoxyphene hydrochloride (various manufacturers)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Analgesic
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- propoxyphene
-
- DOSAGE FORMS
-
- Capsules (65 mg)
- Tablets (100 mg)
- Oral suspension (10 mg per ml)
-
- STORAGE
-
- This medication should be stored at room temperature (never frozen) in
- tightly closed containers.
-
- USES
-
- Propoxyphene is a narcotic analgesic that acts on the central nervous
- system (brain and spinal cord) to relieve mild to moderate pain.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- In order to avoid stomach upset, you can take propoxyphene with food or
- milk.
- The suspension form of this medication should be shaken well just before
- measuring each dose. The contents tend to settle on the bottom of the bottle,
- so it is necessary to shake the container to distribute the ingredients evenly
- and equalize the doses. Each dose should be measured carefully with a
- specially designed 5-ml measuring spoon. An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is not
- accurate enough.
- This medication works best if taken at the first sign of pain. Do not
- wait for the pain to become severe.
- If your doctor has prescribed this medication to be taken on a regular
- schedule and you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible, unless
- it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take the missed dose at all;
- just return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the next dose.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Blurred vision, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, indigestion,
- light-headedness, nausea, nervousness, restlessness, vomiting, or weakness.
- As your body adjusts to the medication, these side effects should disappear.
- If you are constipated, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
- fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
- drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
- If you feel dizzy or light-headed, sit or lie down for a while; get up
- slowly, and be careful on stairs.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- confusion, convulsions, darkening of the urine, depression, difficulty in
- breathing, hallucinations, palpitations, ringing in the ears, skin rash,
- yellow stools, or yellowing of the eyes or skin.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Propoxyphene can interact with several types of drugs:
- 1. Concurrent use of it with other central nervous system depressants
- (such as antihistamines, barbiturates, tranquilizers, sleeping medications,
- muscle relaxants, and other pain medications) or with tricyclic
- antidepressants can cause extreme drowsiness.
- 2. Propoxyphene can increase carbamazepine blood levels, which in turn
- can result in greater side effects.
- 3. A monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor taken within 14 days of this
- medication can lead to unpredictable and severe side effects.
- 4. Propoxyphene also interacts with alcohol, increasing its intoxicating
- effects. You should, therefore, avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while
- taking this medicine.
- TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently taking,
- especially any of those listed above.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
- any medications, especially to propoxyphene or to other narcotic analgesics
- (such as codeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, meperidine, methadone, morphine,
- and oxycodone).
- * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had acute
- abdominal conditions, asthma, brain disease, colitis, epilepsy, gallstones or
- gallbladder disease, head injuries, heart disease, kidney disease, liver
- disease, lung disease, mental illness, emotional disorders, enlarged prostate
- gland, thyroid disease, or urethral stricture.
- * If this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any
- activity that requires alertness.
- * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure
- to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
- * Propoxyphene has the potential for abuse and must be used with caution.
- Usually, you should not take it on a regular schedule for longer than ten days
- (unless your doctor directs you to do so). Tolerance develops quickly; do not
- increase the dosage or stop taking the drug abruptly, unless you first consult
- your doctor. If you have been taking large amounts of this medication or have
- been taking it for long periods of time, you may experience a withdrawal
- reaction (muscle aches, diarrhea, gooseflesh, runny nose, nausea, vomiting,
- shivering, trembling, stomach cramps, sleep disorders, irritability, weakness,
- excessive yawning, or sweating) when you stop taking it. Your doctor may
- therefore want to reduce the dosage gradually.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. The effects of this
- medication during the early stages of pregnancy have not been thoroughly
- studied in humans. However, regular use of propoxyphene in large doses during
- the later stages of pregnancy can result in addiction of the fetus, leading to
- withdrawal symptoms (irritability, excessive crying, tremors, fever, vomiting,
- diarrhea, sneezing, or excessive yawning) at birth. Also, tell your doctor if
- you are breast-feeding an infant. Small amounts of this medication may pass
- into breast milk and cause excessive drowsiness in the nursing infant.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-