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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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