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Generic Name: propoxyphene (pro POX i feen)
Brand Names:
Darvon, Darvon-N, PP-Cap |
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What is the most important information I should know about
propoxyphene?
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Do not stop taking propoxyphene suddenly if you have been taking it
continuously for more than 5 to 7 days. Stopping suddenly could cause
withdrawal symptoms and make you very uncomfortable. Your doctor may
want to gradually reduce your dose. |
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Do not take propoxyphene if you suffer from depression or have
suicidal thoughts. |
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Propoxyphene will cause drowsiness and fatigue. Avoid alcohol,
sleeping pills, antihistamines, sedatives, and tranquilizers except
under the supervision of your doctor. These may also make you drowsy. |
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Propoxyphene will also cause constipation. Drink plenty of water (six
to eight full glasses a day) to lessen this side effect. Increasing the
amount of fiber in your diet can also help to alleviate constipation. |
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Never take more propoxyphene than is prescribed for you. If your
pain is not being adequately treated, talk to your doctor. |
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Propoxyphene is in a class of drugs called narcotic analgesics. It
relieves pain. |
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Propoxyphene is used to treat moderate-to-severe pain. |
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Propoxyphene may also be used for purposes other than those listed
in this medication guide. |
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Who should not take propoxyphene?
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Propoxyphene is habit forming and should only be used under close
supervision if you have an alcohol or drug addiction. |
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Propoxyphene should not be taken if you suffer from depression or
have suicidal thoughts. |
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Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have |
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You may not be able to take propoxyphene, or you may require a lower
dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the
conditions listed above. |
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Propoxyphene may cause addiction and withdrawal symptoms as well as
other harmful effects in an unborn baby. Do not take propoxyphene
without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. |
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Propoxyphene may also cause addiction and withdrawal symptoms in a
nursing baby. Do not take propoxyphene without first talking to your
doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. |
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Children younger than 12 years of age should not take propoxyphene. |
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If you are older than 60 years you may be more likely to experience
side effects from propoxyphene therapy. Use extra caution. |
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How should I take propoxyphene?
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Take propoxyphene exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not
understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to
explain them to you. |
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Take each dose with a full glass of water. |
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Take propoxyphene with food or milk if it upsets your stomach. |
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Never take more of this medication than is prescribed for you. Too
much propoxyphene could be very harmful. The maximum amount of
propoxyphene that can be taken safely in one day is 390 mg (6 Darvon
capsules). Do not exceed this amount. |
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Do not stop taking propoxyphene suddenly if you have been taking it
continuously for more than 5 to 7 days. Stopping suddenly could cause
withdrawal symptoms and make you feel uncomfortable. Your doctor may
want to gradually reduce your dose. |
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Increase the amount of fiber and water (six to eight full glasses
daily) in your diet to prevent constipation. |
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Do not share this medication with anyone else. |
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Store propoxyphene at room temperature away from moisture and heat. |
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What happens if I miss a dose?
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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Do not take a
double dose of this medication. Wait the prescribed amount of time
before taking your next dose. |
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What happens if I overdose?
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Seek emergency medical attention. |
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Symptoms of a propoxyphene overdose include slow breathing, seizures,
dizziness, weakness, loss of consciousness, coma, confusion, tiredness,
cold and clammy skin, and small pupils. |
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What should I avoid while taking propoxyphene?
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Avoid alcohol while taking propoxyphene. Alcohol will greatly
increase the drowsiness and dizziness caused by propoxyphene and could
be dangerous. |
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Also avoid sleeping pills, tranquilizers, sedatives, and
antihistamines except under the supervision of your doctor. These
medications also may cause dangerous sedation. |
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other
hazardous activities. Propoxyphene may cause drowsiness. If you
experience drowsiness, avoid these activities. |
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What are the possible side effects of propoxyphene?
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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop
taking propoxyphene and seek emergency medical attention: |
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;
swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); |
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severe weakness or dizziness. |
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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur.
Continue to take propoxyphene and talk to your doctor if you experience |
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dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, or decreased appetite; |
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dizziness, tiredness, or lightheadedness; |
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decreased urination; or |
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Propoxyphene is habit forming. Do not stop taking it suddenly. |
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to
your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is
especially bothersome. |
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What other drugs will affect propoxyphene?
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Propoxyphene may increase the effects of oral anticoagulants such as
warfarin (Coumadin), which could lead to bleeding. It may also increase
the effects of carbamazepine (Tegretol), which could lead to dangerous
side effects. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are
taking either of these medications. |
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Do not take propoxyphene if you have taken a monoamine oxidase
inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil),
or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. Dangerous side effects
could result. |
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The most serious interactions affecting propoxyphene are with those
drugs that also cause sedation. The following drugs may lead to
dangerous sedation if taken with propoxyphene: |
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antihistamines such as brompheniramine (Dimetane, Bromfed, others),
diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Nytol, Compoz, others), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton,
Teldrin, others), and others; |
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tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline (Elavil) and
doxepin (Sinequan), and serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as fluoxetine
(Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil); |
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other commonly used antidepressants, including amoxapine (Asendin),
clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil),
nortriptyline (Pamelor), and protriptyline (Vivactil); |
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anticholinergics such as belladonna (Donnatal), clidinium (Quarzan),
dicyclomine (Bentyl, Antispas), hyoscyamine (Levsin, Anaspaz),
ipratropium (Atrovent), propantheline (Pro-Banthine), and scopolamine (Transderm-Scop); |
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phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin),
thioridazine (Mellaril), and prochlorperazine (Compazine); and |
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tranquilizers and sedatives such as phenobarbital (Solfoton,
Luminal), amobarbital (Amytal), secobarbital (Seconal), alprazolam (Xanax),
diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), flurazepam (Dalmane), and
temazepam (Restoril). |
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Do not take any of the drugs listed above without the approval of
your doctor. |
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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with
propoxyphene. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any
prescription or over-the-counter medicines. |
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Where can I get more information?
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Your pharmacist has additional information about propoxyphene
written for health professionals that you may read. |
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of
children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
medication only for the indication prescribed. |
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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided
by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,
but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained
herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for
use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States
are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug
information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend
therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed
to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients
and/ or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and
not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of
healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug
or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given
patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of
healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The
information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses,
directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions,
or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking,
check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. |
Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 5.01. Revision date: 2/
24/ 06. |
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