Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DARVON N versus DILAUDID.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DARVON N versus DILAUDID.
DARVON-N vs DILAUDID
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Propoxyphene is a weak mu-opioid receptor agonist that produces analgesia by binding to opioid receptors in the central nervous system, altering the perception of and response to pain. Its metabolite norpropoxyphene has local anesthetic and sodium channel blocking effects, which may contribute to cardiac toxicity.
Dilaudid (hydromorphone) is a full opioid agonist with high affinity for mu-opioid receptors, producing analgesia by mimicking endogenous endorphins and enkephalins. It also activates kappa and delta opioid receptors to a lesser extent.
100 mg orally every 4 hours as needed for pain; maximum 600 mg per day.
Initial: 2-4 mg orally every 4-6 hours as needed; or 1-2 mg intramuscularly, subcutaneously, or intravenously every 4-6 hours as needed.
None Documented
None Documented
Propoxyphene: 6-12 hours; norpropoxyphene: 30-36 hours. Accumulation of norpropoxyphene on repeated dosing increases risk of toxicity.
2.5-3.5 hours (terminal); prolonged in hepatic/renal impairment
Primarily renal (approximately 70% as unchanged drug and glucuronide conjugates); minor biliary/fecal elimination (25-30%).
Primarily renal (90% as hydromorphone-3-glucuronide and parent drug); <1% biliary/fecal
Category C
Category C
Opioid Analgesic
Opioid Analgesic