Take acetaminophen and propoxyphene exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not
understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Take acetaminophen and propoxyphene with food or milk if it upsets your stomach.
Do not take more of this medication than is prescribed. If the pain is not being
adequately treated, talk to your doctor.
Propoxyphene may be habit forming. Physical and/or psychological dependence can
occur, and withdrawal effects are possible if the medication is stopped suddenly after prolonged
or high-dose treatment. Do not stop taking acetaminophen and propoxyphene suddenly without
first talking to your doctor if you have been taking it continuously for more than 5 to 7 days.
Your doctor may want to gradually reduce the dose.
Constipation may be a side effect of treatment with acetaminophen and
propoxyphene. Increasing the amount of fiber and water (six to eight full glasses) in the diet may
reduce constipation.
Do not share this medication with anyone else.
Store acetaminophen and propoxyphene at room temperature away from moisture
and heat.
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking
acetaminophen and propoxyphene and seek emergency medical attention:
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;
swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
slow, weak breathing;
seizures;
cold, clammy skin;
severe weakness or dizziness;
unconsciousness;
yellowing of the skin or eyes; or
unusual fatigue, bleeding, or bruising.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue
to take acetaminophen and propoxyphene and talk to your doctor if you experience
constipation;
dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, or decreased appetite;
dizziness, tiredness, or lightheadedness;
muscle twitches;
sweating;
itching;
decreased urination; or
decreased sex drive.
Propoxyphene may be habit forming. Physical and/or
psychological dependence can occur, and withdrawal effects are possible if the medication is
stopped suddenly after prolonged or high-dose treatment. Do not stop taking acetaminophen and
propoxyphene suddenly without first talking to your doctor if you have been taking it
continuously for more than 5 to 7 days. Your doctor may want to gradually reduce the dose.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any
side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Do not take acetaminophen and propoxyphene if you have taken a monoamine
oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or
tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. Dangerous side effects could result.
Propoxyphene may increase the effects of oral anticoagulants such as warfarin
(Coumadin) which could lead to bleeding. It may also increase the effects of carbamazepine
(Tegretol) leading to toxicity. Be sure your doctor is aware if you are taking either of these
medications.
Drowsiness or dizziness caused by acetaminophen and propoxyphene may be increased
by other drugs such as antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat
insomnia), other pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Together, these
medicines may cause dangerous sedation, possibly resulting in unconsciousness or death. Tell
your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicine without first
talking to your doctor.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with acetaminophen and
propoxyphene. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or
over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
Avoid alcohol while taking acetaminophen and propoxyphene. Alcohol can increase
drowsiness and dizziness caused by the medication which could be dangerous. Also, alcohol may
increase the risk of liver problems when taking acetaminophen.
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous
activities. Acetaminophen and propoxyphene may cause drowsiness. If you experience
drowsiness, avoid these activities.
Do not take other over-the-counter and prescription products that contain acetaminophen.
Too much acetaminophen could be dangerous. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking
any over-the-counter preparations.
Drowsiness or dizziness caused by acetaminophen and propoxyphene may be increased
by other drugs such as antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat
insomnia), other pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Together, these
medicines may cause dangerous sedation, possibly resulting in unconsciousness or death. Tell
your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicine without first
talking to your doctor.
Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
Symptoms of a acetaminophen and propoxyphene overdose include slow breathing,
seizures, dizziness, weakness, loss of consciousness, coma, confusion, tiredness, cold and
clammy skin, small pupils, nausea, vomiting, and sweating.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Do not take a double
dose of this medication. Wait the prescribed amount of time before taking your next dose.
Propoxyphene may be habit forming. Physical and/or psychological dependence can
occur, and withdrawal effects are possible if the medication is stopped suddenly after prolonged
or high-dose treatment. Do not stop taking acetaminophen and propoxyphene suddenly without
first talking to your doctor if you have been taking it continuously for more than 5 to 7 days.
Your doctor may want to gradually reduce the dose.
Do not take acetaminophen and propoxyphene if you suffer from depression or have
suicidal thoughts.
Do not take more of this medication than is prescribed. If the pain is not being
adequately treated, talk to your doctor.
Do not take other over-the-counter and prescription products that contain acetaminophen.
Too much acetaminophen could be dangerous. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking
any over-the-counter preparations.
Avoid alcohol while taking acetaminophen and propoxyphene. Alcohol can increase
drowsiness and dizziness caused by the medication which could be dangerous. Also, alcohol may
increase the risk of liver problems when taking acetaminophen.
Drowsiness or dizziness caused by acetaminophen and propoxyphene may be increased
by other drugs such as antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat
insomnia), other pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Together, these
medicines may cause dangerous sedation, possibly resulting in unconsciousness or death. Tell
your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicine without first
talking to your doctor.
Do not take acetaminophen and propoxyphene if you suffer from depression or have
suicidal thoughts.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have
a history of drug or alcohol addiction;
drink 3 or more alcoholic beverages per day;
kidney disease;
liver disease;
asthma;
urinary retention;
an enlarged prostate;
hypothyroidism;
seizures or epilepsy;
gallbladder disease;
a head injury; or
Addison’s disease.
You may not be able to take acetaminophen and propoxyphene, or you
may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the
conditions listed above.
Propoxyphene may cause addiction and withdrawal symptoms as well as other
harmful effects in an unborn baby. Do not take acetaminophen and propoxyphene without first
talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
Propoxyphene may cause addiction and withdrawal symptoms in a nursing baby. Do
not take acetaminophen and propoxyphene without first talking to your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby.
If you are younger than 18 years of age or older than 60 years of age, you may be more
likely to experience side effects from acetaminophen and propoxyphene therapy. Your doctor
may prescribe a lower dose.
Acetaminophen and propoxyphene is available with a prescription under several brand an
generic names. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if
it is new to you.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ("Multum") is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive.
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that uses outside of the United States are appropriate. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy.
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to serve end-users viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare
practitioners. Healthcare practitioners should use their professional judgment in using the information provided. The absence of a warning for a
given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for
any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides.
The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions,
or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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