$Unique_ID{BRK01812}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{ACETAMINOPHEN AND PROPOXYPHENE COMBINATION}
$Subject{Darvocet-N 50 (Lilly)
Darvocet-N 100 (Lilly)
Dolene AP-65 (Lederle)
Genagesic (Goldline) 
Propacet 100 (Lemmon)
propoxyphene hydrochloride with acetaminophen (various manufacturers)
Wygesic (Wyeth)}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Darvocet-N 50*0181201.scf}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


ACETAMINOPHEN AND PROPOXYPHENE COMBINATION
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BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     Darvocet-N 50 (Lilly)
     Darvocet-N 100 (Lilly)
     Dolene AP-65 (Lederle)
     Genagesic (Goldline) 
     Propacet 100 (Lemmon)
     propoxyphene hydrochloride with acetaminophen (various manufacturers)
     Wygesic (Wyeth)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Analgesic combination
INGREDIENTS:
     acetaminophen and propoxyphene
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Tablets (325 mg acetaminophen with 50 mg propoxyphene napsylate; 650 mg
       acetaminophen with 100 mg propoxyphene napsylate; 650 mg acetaminophen
       with 65 mg propoxyphene hydrochloride)
     Capsules (650 mg acetaminophen with 65 mg propoxyphene hydrochloride)
STORAGE:
     Acetaminophen and propoxyphene combination tablets and capsules should be
       stored at room temperature in tightly closed containers.

USES

     This medication is used to relieve moderate to severe pain.  Propoxyphene
is a narcotic analgesic that acts on the central nervous system (brain and
spinal cord) to relieve pain.

TREATMENT

     In order to avoid stomach upset, you can take this medication with food
or milk.
     This medication works most effectively if you take it at the onset of
pain, rather than waiting until the pain becomes intense.
     If you are taking this medication on a regular schedule and you miss a
dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for
the next dose.  In that case, don't take the missed dose at all; just return
to your regular dosing schedule.  Do not double the next dose.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, false sense of
well-being, flushing, light-headedness, loss of appetite, nausea, painful or
difficult urination, or sweating.  These side effects should disappear as your
body adjusts to the drug.
     If you are constipated, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     To reduce mouth dryness, chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or hard
candy.
     If you feel dizzy or light-headed, sit or lie down for a while; get up
from a sitting or lying position slowly, and be careful on stairs.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
anxiety, difficulty in breathing, excitation, fatigue, palpitations, rash,
restlessness, sore throat and fever, tremors, unusual bleeding or bruising,
weakness, or yellowing of the eyes or skin.

INTERACTIONS

     This medication interacts with several other types of drugs:
     1. Concurrent use of this medication with other central nervous system
depressants (such as alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepine
tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, and phenothiazine tranquilizers) or with
tricyclic antidepressants can cause extreme drowsiness.
     2. A monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor taken within 14 days of this
medication can lead to unpredictable and severe side effects.
     3. Long-term use and high doses of the acetaminophen portion of this
medication can increase the effects of oral anticoagulants (blood thinners,
such as warfarin); this combination may lead to bleeding complications.
     4. Anticonvulsants (antiseizure medication), barbiturates, and alcohol
can increase the liver toxicity caused by large doses of the acetaminophen
portion of this medication.
     5. The propoxyphene portion of this medication decreases the elimination
of carbamazepine from the body, which can lead to an increase in side effects.
     Before starting to take this medication, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR
about any medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed
above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to acetaminophen, propoxyphene, or other narcotic
analgesics (such as codeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, meperidine,
methadone, morphine, and oxycodone).
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had an acute
abdominal condition, asthma, a blood disorder, brain disease, colitis,
epilepsy, gallstones or gallbladder disease, a head injury, heart disease,
kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, mental illness, prostate disease,
thyroid disease, or urethral strictures.
     * If this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any
activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating
potentially dangerous equipment.
     * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure
to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
     * Because this product contains propoxyphene, it has the potential for
abuse and must be used with caution.  Usually, it should not be taken on a
regular schedule for longer than ten days at a time.  Tolerance develops
quickly; do not increase the dosage or stop taking the drug abruptly unless
you first consult your doctor.  If you have been taking large amounts of this
medication for long periods, you may experience a withdrawal reaction (muscle
aches, diarrhea, gooseflesh, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, shivering,
trembling, stomach cramps, sleep disorders, irritability, weakness, excessive
yawning, or sweating).  Your doctor may, therefore, want to reduce the dosage
gradually to prevent or minimize this response.
     * Because this product contains acetaminophen, additional medications
that contain acetaminophen should not be taken without your doctor's approval.
Check the labels on over-the-counter (nonprescription) pain, sinus, allergy,
asthma, diet, cough, and cold products to see if they contain acetaminophen.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  The effects of this
medication during pregnancy have not been thoroughly studied in humans.
Propoxyphene used regularly in large doses during pregnancy can result in
addiction of the fetus, leading to withdrawal symptoms (irritability,
excessive crying, tremors, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, sneezing, or excessive
yawning) at birth.  Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an
infant.  Small amounts of this medication may pass into breast milk and cause
excessive drowsiness in the nursing infant.

----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
