| A
close relative of methadone, dextropropoxyphene
was first marketed in 1957 under the trade name
of Darvon®. Oral analgesic potency is one-half
to one-third that of codeine, with 65 mg approximately
equivalent to about 600 mg of aspirin. Dextropropoxyphene
is prescribed for relief of mild to moderate pain.
Bulk dextropropoxyphene is in Schedule II, while
preparations containing it are in Schedule IV. More
than 100 tons of dextropropoxyphene are produced
in the United States annually, and more than 30
million prescriptions are written for the products.
This narcotic is associated with a number of toxic
side effects and is among the top 10 drugs reported
by medical examiners in drug abuse deaths.
Source: DEA
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