LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Propoxyphene
built 629 days ago
Propoxyphene products in excessive doses, either alone or in combination with other CNS depressants, including alcohol, are a major cause of drug-related deaths. Fatalities within the first hour of overdosage are not uncommon. In a survey of deaths due to overdosage conducted in 1975, in approximately 20% of the fatal cases, death occurred within the first hour (5% occurred within 15 minutes). Propoxyphene should not be taken in doses higher than those recommended by the physician. The judicious prescribing of propoxyphene is essential to the safe use of this drug. With patients who are depressed or suicidal, consideration should be given to the use of non-narcotic analgesics.
Source:
Propoxyphene is still being prescribed; 3 ; To determine patient, physician and drug plan characteristics associated with propoxyphene use. Study Design: The 1999 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey MCBS ; , a nationally representative survey of the Medicare population was used to draw national estimates of propoxyphene use as well as beneficiary and drug plan characteristics. The Area Resource File, a county-level dataset was linked to the 1999 MCBS to obtain data on physician characteristics. Since drug events are not dated in the MCBS, the 1999 MarketScan, an employer-based dataset of medical and pharmaceutical claims for Medicare-eligible employees was used to study the potential indications for propoxyphene use. The MarketScan claims were used to link each propoxyphene prescription to its potential indication in medical claims within a 7-day window prior to the prescription date. Logistic regressions were estimated using MCBS data to determine factors associated with any propoxyphene use.
Source:
Propoxyphene can depress breathing and, therefore, is used with caution in elderly, debilitated patients and in patients with serious lung disease. Propoxyphene can impair thinking and the physical abilities required for driving or operating machinery. Propoxyphene may be habit forming. Mental and physical dependence can occur but are unlikely when it is used short-term.
Source:
Propoxyphene may increase the effects of oral anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin) which could lead to bleeding. It may ... increase the effects of carbamazepine (Tegretol) leading to toxicity. Be sure your doctor is aware if you are taking either of these medications.
Source:
Propoxyphene has been associated with 2,110 reported accidental deaths in the United States since 1981. A large proportion of these deaths occur because most of the drug is converted into a metabolite that is highly toxic to the heart and lasts longer in the body than the original compound, resulting in cardiac depression. Adverse cardiac events associated with propoxyphene include an interruption of heart transmission of electrical impulses, slowed heartbeats and a decreased ability of the heart to contract properly.
Source:
Propoxyphene is now included on the Urine Drug Panel. This drug and its metabolite, norpropoxyphene, are detected at a cut off value of 300 ng mL. As with other tests on the panel, this test provides only a preliminary, qualitative result. A positive result is confirmed when requested. Events include tachycardia, hypertension, and decreased appetite. If used chronically, increasing doses of short-acting oral 1, 2 All 2-agonists might indicate loss of control of asthma. athletes using short-acting oral 2-agonists should be advised that many sporting organizations restrict or prohibit the use of these agents.
Source:
MORE ABOUT
Propoxyphene