Darvocet and Valium

In November 2010, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) withdrew all medications that contain propoxyphene from the market. It has been determined that the risks of propoxyphene outweigh the possible benefits. In particular, the FDA was concerned about the drug's ability to cause serious changes in the heart rhythm, even at normal doses. Pharmacies will no longer sell this medication, and people who take it should stop and ask their healthcare provider for a more suitable pain medication.

Darvocet^® (propoxyphene/acetaminophen) is a prescription pain reliever that can interact negatively with a number of medications. It is generally recommended that you do not combine Darvocet and Valium^® (diazepam), an anxiety medicine.

Combining Darvocet with any other medications that cause drowsiness (including anxiety medicines) can increase your risk of side effects, such as memory loss, confusion, or difficulty breathing. Other serious side effects, such as dangerously low blood pressure, may also occur. It is important that you talk to your healthcare provider before taking Darvocet with Valium.

Some of the other medications that may cause drug interactions with Darvocet include:

Alcohol
Carbamazepine (Carbatrol^®, Epitol^®, Equetro^®, Tegretol^®)
Certain beta blockers
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Other acetaminophen medications, including many prescription and non-prescription pain relievers, fever reducers, and cough and cold medications
Warfarin (Coumadin^®, Jantoven^®).

(Click Darvocet Drug Interactions to find out what other medications may interact with Darvocet and to learn about the possible effects of these interactions.)