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Dextropropoxyphene
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.
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