Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DARVON N versus VICODIN HP.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DARVON N versus VICODIN HP.
DARVON-N vs VICODIN HP
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.
Hydrocodone is a mu-opioid receptor agonist that inhibits ascending pain pathways; acetaminophen inhibits cyclooxygenase and has antipyretic effects.
100 mg orally every 4 hours as needed for pain; maximum 600 mg per day.
One tablet (hydrocodone bitartrate 10 mg/acetaminophen 660 mg) orally every 4-6 hours as needed for pain; maximum 6 tablets per day.
None Documented
None Documented
Propoxyphene: 6-12 hours; norpropoxyphene: 30-36 hours. Accumulation of norpropoxyphene on repeated dosing increases risk of toxicity.
Hydrocodone: 3.8-5.5 hours (mean 4.5 h). Acetaminophen: 2-3 hours. Clinical context: dosing interval every 4-6 hours for acute pain.
Primarily renal (approximately 70% as unchanged drug and glucuronide conjugates); minor biliary/fecal elimination (25-30%).
Primarily renal: hydrocodone is eliminated as conjugated metabolites (glucuronides) ~80%; unchanged drug ~5%. Biliary/fecal: minor, <10%.
Category C
Category C
Opioid Analgesic
Opioid Analgesic