Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DARVOCET A500 versus PERCODAN.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DARVOCET A500 versus PERCODAN.
DARVOCET A500 vs PERCODAN
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Combination analgesic: acetaminophen inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX) and modulates endocannabinoid system; propoxyphene is a mu-opioid receptor agonist.
Oxycodone is a full opioid agonist with relative selectivity for the mu-opioid receptor, although it can bind to other opioid receptors at higher doses. The principal therapeutic action of oxycodone is analgesia. Like all full opioid agonists, there is no ceiling effect for analgesia. Oxycodone acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to produce analgesia. Aspirin inhibits cyclooxygenase, leading to decreased prostaglandin synthesis, which reduces pain and inflammation.
One tablet (500 mg acetaminophen, 100 mg propoxyphene napsylate) orally every 4 hours as needed for pain; maximum 6 tablets per day.
1-2 tablets orally every 4-6 hours as needed for pain. Each tablet contains oxycodone 4.5 mg and aspirin 325 mg.
None Documented
None Documented
Propoxyphene: 6-12 hours (terminal, prolonged in elderly, hepatic impairment, or overdose). Acetaminophen: 2-3 hours (terminal, prolonged in hepatic impairment or overdose).
Oxycodone: 3-5 hours, prolonged in elderly, hepatic/renal impairment. Aspirin: 2-3 hours at low doses; 15-30 hours at anti-inflammatory doses due to saturable metabolism.
Propoxyphene: ~20-25% renal as unchanged drug, ~35% as norpropoxyphene, ~20% biliary/fecal. Acetaminophen: ~2-4% renal unchanged, ~85% as glucuronide and sulfate conjugates, ~5% as cysteine and mercapturate conjugates.
Oxycodone: primarily renal (65-87% as parent and metabolites, mostly noroxycodone and oxymorphone conjugates); ~10% fecal. Aspirin: renal (75-90% as salicylates and metabolites, dose-dependent).
Category C
Category C
Opioid Analgesic Combination
Opioid Analgesic Combination