Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DARVOCET versus PERCODAN DEMI.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DARVOCET versus PERCODAN DEMI.
DARVOCET vs PERCODAN-DEMI
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Darvocet is a combination of propoxyphene, a mu-opioid receptor agonist that alters perception of and response to pain, and acetaminophen, which inhibits COX enzymes and modulates descending serotonergic pathways.
Oxycodone is a full mu-opioid receptor agonist; aspirin inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2), reducing prostaglandin synthesis.
1 tablet (propoxyphene 100 mg / acetaminophen 650 mg) orally every 4 hours as needed for pain; maximum 6 tablets per day.
1 tablet (oxycodone 2.25 mg/aspirin 325 mg) orally every 6 hours as needed for pain; maximum 4 tablets in 24 hours.
None Documented
None Documented
Propoxyphene: 6-12 hours (parent), 30-36 hours (norpropoxyphene). Acetaminophen: 1-4 hours (therapeutic doses). Accumulation of norpropoxyphene occurs with repeated dosing.
Oxycodone: 3-4 hours; salicylate (aspirin): 2-3 hours at low doses, 15-30 hours at high doses; terminal half-life clinically relevant for dosing interval (q4-6h).
Propoxyphene: primarily hepatic metabolism to norpropoxyphene, renal excretion of metabolites (<1% unchanged). Acetaminophen: renal excretion of conjugates (85-90%) and unchanged drug (2-4%).
Renal: ~90% (oxycodone: ~60% as metabolites, ~10% unchanged; aspirin: ~80% as salicylates, ~10% unchanged). Biliary/fecal: minor.
Category C
Category C
Opioid Analgesic Combination
Opioid Analgesic Combination