What is Darvon & Darvocet?

Darvon and Darvocet are two prescription drugs that were banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2010. Both of these drugs use propoxyphene as their main ingredient.

If you are wondering ‘what is propoxyphene?’ the answer is an opioid pain reliever.

Are Darvon and Darvocet the Same?

The main difference between Darvon vs Darvocet is that Darvocet includes acetaminophen as well as propoxyphene. If you recognize the name of acetaminophen, it is probably because it is the main active ingredient in Tylenol.

Even though these drugs have been banned, you might still have questions such as ‘is Darvocet a narcotic?’, or ‘is Darvocet available anywhere?’.

Since these substances are synthetic opioids, they are narcotics and it is likely that they are still available on the streets. Because of this possibility, you should know what to look out for when it comes to Darvocet and Darvon’s side effects, signs of addiction, and treatment options.

Are Darvon and Darvocet Addictive?

Darvon and Darvocet are extremely addictive, which why they discontinued production in 2010. People who abuse these drugs do so because they feel a ‘high’.

Unfortunately, when opioid drugs are abused, an addiction can form extremely quickly. Abuse is any use of a drug that is not exactly what has been prescribed by a doctor.

Signs of Darvon & Darvocet Addiction

• Mood swings
• Weight loss
• Yawning
• Poor focus or concentration
• Poor memory
• Anxiety
• Anger and irritability
• Sadness or depression
• Problems at work or school
• Reckless behavior
• Hanging out with a new crowd

Even though they are no longer regulated or prescribed by doctors, these drugs might still be found illegally in the streets. Anyone using these drugs recreationally puts themselves at very high risk for becoming addicted.

Why Did They Discontinue Darvon & Darvocet?

In the year 2010, you might remember reading headlines with titles such as ‘Darvon and Darvocet banned’.

Like other opioid drugs, people were beginning to catch on to the fact that these drugs were very dangerous and had a high potential for abuse. But Darvon and Darvocet were banned mostly for a separate reason: they were causing heart attacks.

These drugs are actually less potent opioid pain relievers than Codeine, which is still legal. They were ultimately banned because they were found to be the cause of heart problems in many individuals.

People taking these drugs, even as prescribed by medical professionals, were found to have many heart issues, including:

• Arrhythmia
• Congestive Heart Failure
• Cardiac Arrest

Knowledge of the connection between these drugs and heart problems for years, but it took a while for them to finally be pulled from the market.

When this happened, some drug dealers saw an opportunity to supply people who were already addicted to propoxyphene-containing drugs with a fix, now that their supply had run dry. Today, only illegally-produced versions of these drugs exist.

Darvon and Darvocet Addiction Treatment

If you or someone you know is addicted to these dangerous drugs, the time to seek treatment is now. Treatment centers are well-equipped to handle cases of addiction to any opioid pain relievers, including these.

Rehab facilities can help you come up with a personalized care plan that gives you the best chance at getting sober and reclaiming your life.

Common treatment plans for addressing addiction to these substances include a combination of group meetings, therapy, and, in some cases, medication. If a patient begins treatment while they still have Darvon or Darvocet in their system, they may need to attend detox before beginning their treatment.

Detox is a safe place to manage withdrawal symptoms from these dangerous opioid drugs. It is not safe to try and detox at home from Darvon and Darvocet. If you do so, you are at high risk for relapse because the withdrawal symptoms can be so uncomfortable. Other complications could occur as well and might be dangerous.

Addiction to these dangerous synthetic opioids does not resolve itself. A dedicated team of treatment professionals is needed to help addicts relearn how to live their lives without drugs. If you or someone you know is addicted to Darvon or Darvocet, do not hesitate to call Spring Hill Recovery Center today.