Name: Propoxyphene hydrochloride

Therapeutic actions

Acts as agonist at specific opioid receptors in the CNS to produce analgesia, euphoria, sedation; the receptors mediating these effects are thought to be the same as those mediating the effects of endogenous opioids (enkephalins, endorphins).

Indications

Relief of mild to moderate pain

Contraindications/cautions

Contraindicated in the presence of hypersensitivity to narcotics, pregnancy (neonatal withdrawal has occurred in infants born to mothers who used narcotics during pregnancy; safety for use in pregnancy not
established), labor or delivery (especially when delivery of a premature
infant is expected; administration of narcotics to the mother can cause
respiratory depression of neonate; may prolong labor), lactation.

Use caution in the presence of renal or hepatic dysfunction, emotional depression.

Adverse effects

• CNS: Dizziness, sedation, lightheadedness, headache, weakness, euphoria, dysphoria, minor visual disturbances
• GI: Nausea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, liver dysfunction
• Dermatologic: Skin rashes
• Other: Tolerance and dependence, psychological dependence