Darvocet Safety

Darvocet® (propoxyphene/acetaminophen) is a prescription narcotic drug used for the treatment of mild to moderate pain. Although most people respond well to Darvocet, safety warnings and precautions for the medication should be discussed with your healthcare provider before treatment begins to help minimize risks.
 
It is important to know that as a controlled substance, Darvocet has a significant potential for abuse. You should never take the drug more frequently, longer, or at a higher dose than prescribed. It is generally recommended that people with a history of alcohol or drug abuse avoid using this pain medication. It is also important to know that a Darvocet overdose (either accidental or intentional) can be extremely dangerous and could be lethal within 15 minutes; this medicine should be prescribed cautiously to people with depression or suicidal tendencies.
 
As with any medication, it is possible to develop side effects while taking Darvocet. In most cases, side effects of the medicine are mild and do not require medical attention, but you should notify your healthcare provider immediately if you experience hallucinations, upper-right abdominal pain, or swelling of the mouth or throat.
 
(Click Darvocet Side Effects and Darvocet Warnings and Precautions for more Darvocet safety information, including a more complete list of possible side effects.)
 
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;