Addictive drugs like Darvon and Darvocet have had a tremendous impact on Idaho, as well as on other states in the mid and northwest. It is vital to understand the scope of that, as well as how these drugs can and often do lead to dangerous addictions. It is our goal to make people aware of the risks, and to let them know that treatment can lead to recovery.
Darvon and Darvocet are opioid pain medications that were once very popular in the United States. For many doctors, when their patients complained of acute or chronic pain, one of these two drugs was prescribed. They are similar in the way they treat pain, but they are not exactly the same.
Darvocet was also sold by the brand names, Balacet and Propacet 100. It is a combination of propoxyphene and acetaminophen. Darvon has also been prescribed to treat pain, but it does not contain acetaminophen; only propoxyphene.
While both of these drugs were very effective at treating pain, they are no longer available. In the time since they were banned, several other medications have been formulated to take their place.
Take one of our addiction quizzes to find out if you or someone you care about needs help today.
In 2010, the FDA pulled both Darvocet and Darvon off the market. This decision was made because of studies that proved that they could lead to heart damage, even when used appropriately. There was also an increased risk of fatal cardiac problems associated with their use. The United States was not the first country to ban these medications. Great Britain banned them in 2005, along with any other drug that contained propoxyphene. In June of 2009, the European Medicines Agency recommended that they be removed from the EU. According to Dr. John Jenkins, who was the Director of the Office of New Drugs at the FDA, these medications were pulled for all the right reasons. He stated, “The drug’s effectiveness in reducing pain is no longer enough to outweigh the drug’s serious potential heart risks.” At the time Darvon and Darvocet were pulled, there had been around 120 million prescriptions written for them over the previous five years. Thoughts of banning these drugs date back to 1976, and it took years before the FDA took action.
Most insurance companies will cover 100% of the cost. We also help with financing. Call Now.
Verify InsuranceThere are many who think that when Darvocet and Darvon were banned, it paved the way for today’s opioid crisis. A consumer group by the name of Public Citizen started petitioning the FDA to remove the drug in 2006. Their petition referred to an article from the Journal of American Medical Association, which included a critical review of propoxyphene.
Mark Thornton of the Mises Institute believes that the Iron Law of Prohibition is at play when it comes to the opioid crisis. It is his opinion that when lower potency drugs become unavailable, the tendency is to switch to higher potency drugs. This is an opinion that he shares with others.
There is no denying that the United States is in the midst of a serious opioid problem. It has even been declared a national health emergency by the president. But is it a problem that can be traced back to the ban of Darvon and Darvocet? It certainly seems possible.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse offers the following statistics about the opioid epidemic in 2017 for every 100,000 people:
Also, in Idaho, there were 70.3 prescriptions written for opioid painkillers in 2017. That same year, there were more than 47,000 opioid overdose deaths. That number is higher than the number of people who died in car accidents or in firearm-related homicides.
The opioid epidemic is far from over. Darvon and Darvocet are two drugs that are no longer a part of it. But if they were still legal, it might have been something we were able to avoid completely.
Northpoint Recovery is a state of the art, comfortable and modern inpatient detox and drug rehab facility designed to help our clients get the help they need to overcome addiction.
Call Now
At Northpoint Recovery, we know the importance of recovering from an addiction. We also know that it takes a lot of courage for someone to admit that they need help. We offer one of the best drug detox and rehab programs in the mid and northwest, and we are well-known in Idaho. Our 28-day rehab ensures that anyone with a Darvon or Darvocet addiction, or with any other type of drug problem goes through detox. Afterward, they enter into rehab to complete this phase of recovery.
But addiction does not end with medications like Darvocet. We also offer one of the best alcohol addiction treatment programs in the region. We are here to help with any type of substance abuse problem.
We want you to know that we understand how hard it is to seek help for addiction recovery. At Northpoint Recovery, we are in-network with many different health insurance plans to reduce your cost of treatment. Our program is detailed and tailored according to your specific needs.
Do you have questions about Darvocet or Darvon abuse, addiction or recovery? Please contact us today.
Our admissions coordinators are here to help you get started with treatment the right way. They'll verify your health insurance, help set up travel arrangements, and make sure your transition into treatment is smooth and hassle-free.
Verify Insurance