What Is Another Name for Darvocet? Unveiling the Discontinued Painkiller's Identity

October 8, 2025 •

4 min read

In November 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested the removal of all propoxyphene-containing products from the market due to serious cardiac risks, leading many to wonder what is another name for Darvocet, a popular pain medication at the time. The answer lies in its generic components and other related brand names.

Quick Summary

Darvocet is a discontinued painkiller combining propoxyphene and acetaminophen. Its components represent its generic name, while Darvon is another brand name for its primary opioid ingredient.

Key Points

Generic Name: Darvocet is also known by its generic name, propoxyphene and acetaminophen.
Other Brand Name: Darvon is another brand name for a propoxyphene-only product that was also withdrawn from the market.
Discontinued: The medication was discontinued in the U.S. in 2010 due to new data showing it caused serious heart toxicity, even at therapeutic doses.
Reason for Ban: The FDA found that propoxyphene, the opioid component, could cause significant changes in the heart's electrical activity, increasing the risk of fatal heart rhythm abnormalities.
Alternative Options: Safer alternatives for pain management include other NSAIDs like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and other regulated opioids like tramadol for more severe pain.
Non-Medication Therapy: Non-pharmacological approaches like physical therapy and CBT are also recommended for managing pain.

The Generic and Other Brand Names for Darvocet

Darvocet was a combination drug, and its identity can be understood by looking at its active ingredients: propoxyphene and acetaminophen. Therefore, the most accurate "other name" for Darvocet is its generic name: propoxyphene and acetaminophen.

The Core Components: Propoxyphene and Acetaminophen

Propoxyphene: The opioid component of the drug, used to treat mild-to-moderate pain. Before its withdrawal, propoxyphene was also marketed as a single-ingredient product under the brand name Darvon.
Acetaminophen: A non-opioid pain reliever and fever reducer, which is still widely available over-the-counter under brands like Tylenol. It was included in Darvocet to boost the pain-relieving effects of propoxyphene.

Other less common brand names also existed for propoxyphene combinations, such as Balacet and Wygesic, which were also part of the market withdrawal.

The Story of Darvocet's Discontinuation

Darvocet was first approved by the FDA in 1957, but its safety was debated for decades. Concerns about its limited effectiveness and high potential for abuse led consumer groups to pressure the FDA for a ban.

Safety Concerns Leading to Withdrawal

In November 2010, a new study revealed that propoxyphene could cause serious and potentially fatal heart problems, even at recommended therapeutic doses. The study, requested by the FDA, showed that the drug caused significant changes to the electrical activity of the heart, including prolonged PR interval, widened QRS complex, and prolonged QT interval. These cardiac irregularities increased the risk of serious, abnormal heart rhythms. The FDA concluded that the risks of propoxyphene outweighed its modest benefits for pain relief, leading to the market-wide withdrawal of all products containing the ingredient.

Global and US Market Removal

The U.S. recall followed similar actions in other countries. The UK banned the drug in 2005, and the European Medicines Agency recommended its withdrawal across the European Union in 2009. The global trend indicated a growing consensus on the drug's unfavorable risk-benefit profile.

What Replaced Darvocet? Alternative Pain Management

Following the recall, healthcare providers and patients needed viable alternatives for mild to moderate pain management. Options range from over-the-counter medications to other prescription drugs and non-pharmacological therapies.

Non-Opioid Alternatives

Acetaminophen (Tylenol): Since Darvocet contained this ingredient, it was a logical and often sufficient replacement for the non-opioid portion of pain relief.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Medications like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) are common choices for mild to moderate pain and inflammation.
Diclofenac: Another powerful NSAID often prescribed for pain and inflammation.

Opioid Alternatives

For pain requiring a stronger, opioid-based approach, other medications were and are still used, but with careful consideration of abuse potential and side effects.

Tramadol: A synthetic opioid analgesic, often considered less potent than stronger opioids but more effective than Darvocet. It was even recommended as an alternative by the FDA in 2010.
Other Prescription Combination Painkillers: Similar combination drugs like Vicodin (hydrocodone and acetaminophen) and Percocet (oxycodone and acetaminophen) are available but carry higher risks of addiction and dependence than Darvocet. They are typically reserved for more severe pain.

Non-Medication Alternatives

For chronic pain or for patients who prefer to avoid medication, non-pharmacological therapies can be very effective:

Physical Therapy: Can improve mobility and reduce pain through targeted exercises.
Massage Therapy: Relieves muscle tension and promotes relaxation.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps patients manage chronic pain by changing their perceptions and coping strategies.

Comparison of Darvocet and Modern Alternatives


Feature	Darvocet (Discontinued)	Tramadol (Alternative)	Ibuprofen (Alternative)
Active Ingredients	Propoxyphene & Acetaminophen	Tramadol	Ibuprofen
Drug Class	Narcotic Analgesic Combination	Synthetic Opioid Analgesic	NSAID (Non-opioid)
Indication	Mild to moderate pain	Moderate to severe pain	Mild to moderate pain, inflammation
Abuse Potential	Schedule IV, high potential for abuse	Schedule IV, risk of abuse and addiction	Low to none
Safety Concerns	Serious cardiac toxicity, fatal overdose	Less cardiotoxicity than Darvocet, potential for serotonin syndrome	Gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney issues with long-term use
Market Status	Discontinued in US and other countries since 2010	Widely available as a prescription medication	Widely available over-the-counter

Conclusion

What is another name for Darvocet? The primary alternative names are its generic components, propoxyphene and acetaminophen, and the related single-ingredient brand Darvon. The withdrawal of these medications in 2010 was a critical safety measure by the FDA due to the risk of fatal cardiac arrhythmias, even at recommended doses. Today, healthcare providers recommend safer alternatives, ranging from non-opioid options like ibuprofen to other carefully monitored opioid medications like tramadol, depending on the severity of the pain. The discontinuation of Darvocet highlights the importance of ongoing drug safety surveillance and the evolution of pain management strategies. For any pain management concerns, consulting a healthcare professional is essential for determining the most appropriate and safest treatment plan.

Authoritative Outbound Link

For detailed information on the FDA's decision to withdraw propoxyphene-containing products, visit the official FDA drug safety communication page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Darvocet was voluntarily withdrawn from the U.S. market in 2010 because the FDA determined that its active ingredient, propoxyphene, posed a risk of serious cardiac toxicity, including fatal heart rhythm abnormalities, that outweighed its benefits for mild to moderate pain relief.

No. Following the 2010 FDA action, all products containing propoxyphene, both single-ingredient (like Darvon) and combination products (like Darvocet), were removed from the U.S. market and are no longer available by prescription.

Yes, there are several safer alternatives. For mild to moderate pain, over-the-counter options include acetaminophen (Tylenol) and NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve). For more severe pain, other prescription medications or non-medication therapies might be used under a doctor's supervision.

The active ingredients in Darvocet were propoxyphene, an opioid pain reliever, and acetaminophen, a non-opioid analgesic and fever reducer.

Darvocet contained a combination of both propoxyphene and acetaminophen, while Darvon was a brand name for a product that contained only propoxyphene. Both were recalled due to the same safety concerns regarding propoxyphene.

Since propoxyphene is an opioid, withdrawal symptoms could occur upon abrupt discontinuation, including restlessness, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, abdominal cramps, sweating, and insomnia.

Old Darvocet medication should be disposed of properly to prevent misuse. The FDA recommends mixing it with an undesirable substance like kitty litter or used coffee grounds, placing it in a sealed container, and putting it in the trash.

Yes, generic versions containing the same active ingredients (propoxyphene and acetaminophen) were available and were also included in the 2010 market withdrawal request from the FDA.