Darvocet

Darvocet is a narcotic pain reliever that includes a combination of propoxyphene and acetaminophen. This drug was recently removed from the market, but remains available on the black market. Abuse of this drug is becoming less common as the supply dwindles. Darvocet is habit-forming and persons with a history of substance abuse are using this drug more and more. It is sold illegally for recreational use. A person addicted to Darvocet develops strained relationships with friends and family members.
The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) reported that nearly 12 million people in the U.S. were abusing some form of pain medication. Another statistic found that around 35 million people were admitted to the hospital for abusing drugs like Darvocet. These drugs are sold on the street once doctors write prescriptions for them.
Anyone who is addicted to Darvocet develops a physical dependence when the drug alters opioid receptors in the brain, and stimulates those receptors. The brain then becomes stimulated and craves more of the drug. Psychological dependence also develops when a person who uses Darvocet believes he or she cannot live without this drug. The worse thing is that users develop a tolerance to the drug, requiring more and more for the desired effect.

Darvocet is a drug that is abused to achieve a euphoric “high” that causes mild relaxation. Side effects to the drug include loss of appetite, dry mouth, constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, lightheadedness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. When a person is addicted to Darvocet, he or she will experience heart arrhythmias, which can be fatal. The effect on the heart prompted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to recall the drug in 2010. Used for pain relief, Darvocet also leads to irreversible liver damage when taken in large doses for lengthy periods of time.

Darvocet withdrawal must be done gradually in order to reduce the withdrawal symptoms and prevent intense cravings. Detoxification (detox) is the medical intervention done to wean someone off of this drug. These symptoms include insomnia, sweating, shivering, goose bumps, anxiety, rigid muscles, fever, runny nose, and rapid heartbeat. Abusers of Darvocet can enter a comprehensive treatment center, which includes physical detoxification, behavioral therapy, counseling, and support groups. This helps the addict avoid relapse during recovery.

If you suspect you or someone you are with has overdosed on Darvocet, call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. An overdose is often fatal, especially when the drug is taken with a sedative, antidepressant, or alcohol. Also, overdose symptoms include drowsiness, confusion, bluish lips, weak pulse, slow heart rate, fainting, and shallow breathing.
If you are prescribed Darvocet, dangerous side effects or death can occur when it is taken with alcohol or another drug. Be sure to check medicine and food labels on all products. Also, Darvocet affects reaction time and impairs thinking, so be careful of driving or operating heavy machinery. Grapefruit juice interacts with the propoxyphene component in this medication, so be sure to avoid these products when prescribed this drug.