Dextropropoxyphene is an analgesic in the opioid category. It is used to treat mild to moderate pain and as an anti-tussive. It can be used to ease surgical pain both prophylactically and palliatively. It is possible to classify it as an mild opioid pain-killer, however it is considered no more effective than aspirin in treating pain.
Dextropropoxyphene is sometimes combined with acetaminophen or acetylsalicylic acid. Trade-names include Darvocet-N for dextropropoxyphene and acetaminophen and Darvon-N with ASA for the dextrpropoxyphene and acetylsalicylic acid. It is also sometime sold in combination with caffeine in order to boost pain control . .
There is no peer-reviewed evidence that this combination is any more effective than acetaminophen alone. There is significant anecdotal evidence that Darvocet is more effective from the actual patients in pain than acetaminophen, but a third of patients suffering chronic pain report relief from that pain when treated with placebo.
It is manufactured and marketed by Eli Lilly and Company.
It is an optical isomer of Levopropoxyphene. The racemic mixture is called Propoxyphene.
Some preparations that contain dextropropoxyphene include: Distalgesic and Doloxene.
