Darvocet

Darvocet is a prescription painkiller made up of two common drugs: acetaminophen and propoxyphene. Acetaminophen is non-narcotic, but propoxyphene is narcotic; therefore, Darvocet is a narcotic only in part. Generic Darvocet is sold under the name "propoxyphene".

You should not buy Darvocet with no prescription, because a doctor should watch for possible side effects. The side effects of Darvocet range from nearly harmless, such as constipation, nausea, or sexual side effects, to serious or life-threatening, such as seizures and difficulty breathing. Your doctor should be informed of any pre-existing conditions, as this may make side effects worse. For example, asthma and a Darvocet regimen may increase breathing difficulty to a dangerous level.

Recreational Darvocet use can also lead to long-term health problems. One such problem is diverticulitis. Diverticulitis is a condition causing inflamed pouches to develop on the outside of the colon. If these pouches become inflamed enough to burst, infection may spread throughout the body. Diverticulitis may also cause bowel obstructions, or fistulas, which are openings in the colon that can allow waste to leak into the abdomen. All of these conditions require immediate medical attention and are life-threatening. Since many recreational Darvocet users will take massive doses of the drug, liver toxicity from acetaminophen overdose may occur. The maximum daily dosage of acetaminophen is 4000 mg, so Darvocet users, especially those who abuse Darvocet, should not take any other drugs containing acetaminophen.

Long-term use of Darvocet can cause mental and physical dependence. Darvocet addiction is such a problem in part because of propoxyphene's similarity to methadone. Users of Darvocet should not suddenly stop taking the drug without consulting a doctor. The doctor may have the patient gradually cut back his or her dosage to avoid withdrawal symptoms. A slow withdrawal may even be required for non-addicted, short-term Darvocet users, due to its highly addictive nature.

Darvocet should not be taken with alcohol, and antidepressant or sedative drug use should be discussed with your doctor, as combining them with Darvocet may result in coma or death. Pregnant or nursing women should not take take Darvocet unless approved by their doctor. You should inform your doctor or dentist of your Darvocet use prior to any surgery, including dental surgery.

Darvocet can be a very effective pain-management tool. However, as it is a powerful and highly addictive drug, you should only take Darvocet under a doctor's care, to avoid potential side effects and interactions. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe side effects or feel you are becoming addicted to Darvocet.