ALTERNATIVES TO DARVOCET
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ALTERNATIVES TO DARVOCET
Black Friday came a week early for many patients when, on Friday November 19, 2010, the FDA announced they were requesting the withdrawal of ALL propoxyphene containing prescription medications in the U.S. Many patients are now looking for an alternative to Darvocet or Darvon, the popular "brand name" versions of the generic drug propoxyphene (Darvocet is a combination of propoxyphene with acetaminophen).
How many patients will this effect? Estimates ranging from 20 million to 30 million prescriptions annually have been written for propoxyphene containing prescription drugs in the U.S. in recent years. Now, that is probably not 20-30 million different patients, but even so...the numbers are staggering.
So, if you are a patient looking for:
- Alternatives to Darvocet
- Alternatives to Darvon
- Alternatives to Propoxyphene
- Alternatives to Balacet
- Alternatives to Darvon Compound...
This article is for YOU. It is a very brief sketch of some of the possible alternatives that your doctor may discuss with you.
I am a registered pharmacist with many years in the retail pharmacy industry. I am happy to share what I know with others. The information I provide is NOT intended to replace or alter ANY advice you may receive from your own personal physician.
For a more detailed article on WHY Darvocet (and all propoxyphene products) were removed from the U.S. market, read WHY DARVOCET WAS RECALLED.
SOME ALTERNATIVES TO DARVOCET
Darvocet (also called Darvocet N-100) was a weak opioid analgesic (pain killer in the narcotic family) that contained both propoxyphene and acetaminophen. Darvon contained just propoxyphene. Both were "short" acting, and had to be taken every 6-8 hours.
No alternative is going to be a perfect match. Since propoxyphene was unique, it is impossible to say if any of these products will work just as well for you. The suggestions I make, therefore, must be understood as "possibilities" and not necessarily perfect substitutes.
Alternative #1: Try Arthritis Strength Tylenol (called "Tylenol Arthritis"). Yes, that's right, the OTC (over the counter) product available in your pharmacy. Remember, just because it can be obtained without a prescription does NOT mean it is weak or ineffective. It comes in a convenient gelcap, contains the HIGHEST amount of Tylenol available (650mg), and can be taken 2 gelcaps every 8 hours. Important: Do not consume alcoholic beverages while taking this and do NOT take it if you are taking any other forms of Tylenol (acetaminophen).
Alternative #2: Try Aleve. Yes, again, this is an OTC medication, but for many people it is very effective, and it lasts up to 12 hours. Aleve is naproxen, a NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). Do NOT take Aleve if you have an allergy to naproxen. Speak to your doctor first if you have any other chronic health conditions or are taking other medication that may interact with Aleve. For answers to some frequently asked questions about Aleve, CLICK HERE.
Alternative #3: Prescription NSAID products. There are now a variety of very effective prescription drugs which are indicated for pain. Many are available generically, and some are quite powerful as pain relievers. Examples include piroxicam, meloxicam, nabumatone, ketorolac and others. Some are relatively new and not available generically yet like Arthrotec, Voltaren Gel, Pennsaid, and Flector (a patch!). Celebrex is similar to this category of medications and may be appropriate for some patients.
Alternative #4: Prescription Tramadol. Tramadol is a unique prescription opioid pain reliever. It is not a controlled substance, and so is not subject to some of the restrictions associated with narcotics. The brand name of this product is Ultram, but it is available generically and is therefore more affordable. Tramadol may be the "closest" alternative to Darvon that is currently available. It also comes in a combination product known as Ultracet (a combination of tramadol and acetaminophen). Tramadol has a number of potential side effects, many of which are similar to those of propoxyphene, and include: drowsiness, headache, nausea, constipation, itching and sweating. For a more complete list of side effects, CLICK HERE.
Alternative #5: Prescription Vicodin (hydrocodone with acetaminophe) or Tylenol with Codeine (codeine with acetaminophen). These products are Schedule III Controlled Substances, and are generally considered stronger than Darvon or Darvocet. However, in some cases where pain is more severe, they may be discussed as potential alternatives to the propoxyphene products. These products will typically cause more sedation, constipation and have a slightly higher potential for dependence. Typically patients are warned not to drive, operate machinery, or consume alcohol while taking these. They are available generically and come in a wide varity of strengths.
These are only a few options. There are many other "categories" of pain relievers available by prescription. Some are specific for Migraine Headaches. Some specifically for Fibromyalgia Pain. Some are very strong like Percocet and Oxycontin.
YOUR EXPERIENCE
Just as important as professional advice is the real experience of others who have found successful alternatives to Darvocet, Darvon and other propoxyphene containing prescription medications. I therefore welcome your comments. Please feel free to share what has worked well for you, what has not, and what advice you may have for others who are seeking alternatives to these products that have been withdrawn.
Thank you for reading. I hope the information provided has given you some useful advice.
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Thanks for explaining many of the available options.
I heard about this through the health system I work for. Thanks for the writeup of this info.
I fall under the category "...I am sorry for the many patients that this will significantly inconvenience. The reality is that some of the options for pain control that will be prescribed will create a hardship and reduced quality of life for some patients. But the majority will be able to find adequate pain control from other products." I am a NON_MAJORITY. My quality of life has been VERY affected and MY health has been jeopardized by some of the alternatives my Dr. and I have been trying. I am to the point that i am a little timid to try anymore for the fear of THEIR side effects and long term downsides. Why can't there be some sort of Legal Release for those of us that were fine (taken davocet for 12 years with no bad effects and HUGE benefits) and are willing to sign it and be allowed to continue with OUR QUALITY of life??? When I went through this same process 13 years ago, Darvocet was #7 of the drugs we tried. I do not tolerate pain meds well and it gave me the relief that I needed without having to take other medications along with alternatives to counter side effects.
tamipie5,
I do hope you find something that helps you. I am very sorry. I too wish that a special channel could have been made available for patients who really benefited from Darvocet and had no alternatives.
Best wishes.
i have had 3 back surgeries 87,89,90 and have taken Darvocet all these years.my honest opinion is,there is more to this recall of darvocet,than the risk they claim.To me there are more chances of living fewer years without the darocet.[think pain and how it affects you]Now think gov. s.s.,medicare and the cost for 30 million.
people, just sayin.
Darvocet was on the market for 60 years. I have had 5 back surgeries and Darvocet is the only pain medication that helped. Lyrica is the one that s/b taken off the market. It causes swelling of the feet & legs plus it makes one dizzy. I had no side effects from Darvocet. I have now ordered Darvocet N from a foreign drug company
This is such a load! Darvocet is the safest, mildest, narcotic ever made. Millions of MS patients and Lupus patients took this medication for over thirty years without one side effect and now they have been literally disabled because of a few absolute morons who would have overdosed on anything because they are idiots. Cars kill hundreds of times the number of people that chose to overdose on darvocet! Why haven't the safety nazis banned cars?
I have taken Darvocet for years for severe osteoarthritis of the neck and lower back with no problems at all. It got me thru between epidural injections. I have also taken Tramadol but can't take it at night because something in it keeps me wide awake. I try to stay away from the more potent meds if possible. I had a script for 60 with 1 refill when they pulled it. Had I known it was going to happen I would have had it refilled asap. I agree with haroldhardin81, there is more to the recall than they say. It seems they like doctors to prescribe newer meds that have no generic and cost some of us full price. Another case of the insurance industry running the country.
I suffer frm osteoarthritis an bursitis of the hip. My pain was tolerable with the but dto bariactric surgery I can't take NSAIDs and my doctors keep throwing them at me. Suggestions plz!
Edybee,
You may want to talk to your MD about a patch like Lidoderm or Flector. Otherwise, OTC muscle rubs or Tylenol if appropriate are options. Always check with your MD before making any changes to your treatment.
jasper420 Level 3 Commenter 17 months ago
thankyou for this info my mom takes this medicine now i know more about what she is taking