Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DARVON versus PROPOXYPHENE HYDROCHLORIDE 65.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DARVON versus PROPOXYPHENE HYDROCHLORIDE 65.
DARVON vs PROPOXYPHENE HYDROCHLORIDE 65
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Propoxyphene is a mu-opioid receptor agonist that inhibits ascending pain pathways by binding to opioid receptors in the CNS, altering pain perception. It also has weak local anesthetic effects.
Propoxyphene is a centrally acting opioid agonist that binds to mu-opioid receptors in the central nervous system, inhibiting pain signal transmission and altering pain perception. It also has local anesthetic effects.
Propoxyphene hydrochloride (Darvon) for moderate to severe pain: 65 mg orally every 4 hours as needed; maximum 390 mg/day.
65 mg orally every 4 hours as needed for pain; maximum 390 mg/day.
None Documented
None Documented
6-12 hours (parent drug); norpropoxyphene half-life 30-36 hours, accumulates with repeated dosing, increasing risk of toxicity.
6-12 hours (mean ~8 hours); prolonged in hepatic impairment and elderly; accumulation possible with repeated dosing.
Primarily hepatic metabolism to norpropoxyphene, then renal excretion of metabolites; <20% excreted unchanged in urine; minor biliary/fecal elimination.
Renal excretion of unchanged drug (approximately 20-30%) and metabolites; approximately 40-60% as conjugated metabolites; minor biliary/fecal elimination.
Category C
Category C
Opioid Analgesic
Opioid Analgesic