Pain Home > Darvocet Ingredients
Darvocet (propoxyphene/acetaminophen) is a prescription pain reliever that contains numerous ingredients. The two main ingredients in Darvocet are propoxyphene napsylate and acetaminophen. There are also a number of inactive ingredients in this medication; generic versions of Darvocet can have different inactive ingredients compared to the brand-name medication.
Darvocet® (propoxyphene/acetaminophen) is a prescription pain medication. As with all medications, Darvocet contains an active ingredient (in this case, two active ingredients -- propoxyphene napsylate and acetaminophen) plus several different inactive ingredients. It is important to note that generic medications can have different inactive ingredients, compared to the brand-name medication.
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.
The ingredients in brand-name Darvocet-N 100 or Darvocet-N 50 tablets are as follows:
- Propoxyphene napsylate
- Acetaminophen
- Amberlite
- Cellulose
- FD&C Yellow No. 6
- Magnesium stearate
- Stearic acid
- Titanium dioxide
- "Other inactive ingredients" (not listed specifically).
The ingredients in brand-name Darvocet A500 tablets are as follows:
- Propoxyphene napsylate
- Acetaminophen
- Anhydrous lactose
- Colloidal silicon dioxide
- Crospovidone
- Magnesium stearate (powder)
- Microcrystalline cellulose
- Povidone
- Pregelatinized corn starch
- Stearic acid (powder)
- Carnauba wax
- Hypromellose 2910 6cP
- Polyethylene glycol
- Purified water
- Sodium citrate
- Titanium dioxide
- FD&C Red No. 40 Aluminum Lake
- FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake.
The inactive ingredients are necessary for various purposes, such as fillers to make the tablet large enough to handle. Other inactive ingredients may be necessary during the manufacturing process or may serve other purposes (such as making the tablets easier to swallow).