Any opinions on using Darvocet for moderate pain.

Ask the Pharmacist at your drugstore about side effects, restrictions and effectiveness on the different sources of pain ( soft tissue trauma, headaches etc.) With so many age groups, body wieghts,two sexes, health levels and individual pain thresholds this becomes anecdotal. from us laypersons.

My vote ibuporfen for mild-moderate pain and a narcotic for severe pain. I would recommend vicoden or percocet for remote area medical kit use.Darvocet is really little more effective than tylenol.
Just an opinion
Jeff

Thanks for the input. I just happened to have inherited a huge supply of the stuff and was wondering what to do with it.

I had a bad reaction to this pain reliever many years ago. I'll not take it again. I've had occasion to take vicodin or percocet for pain over the years and either is far more effective with far fewer side effects. Of course, I'd rather not be stupid (or unlucky) and have need of a pain reliever!

atty_guy <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

For me, the pain itself seems to be preferable to the pain medication. In the past I have had bad reactions to Donatal, Tylox, and Percocet. Basically, I become anxious and feel an uncomfortable detachment from reality. Last year I had emergency surgery and was put on morphine for 2 days while in the hospital. This was the worst experience ever as it felt like I was awake for the whole time. Its beyond me how anyone can abuse any of these medications.
I guess he point I am trying to make here is that since you can't "try before you buy" in this instance you should be preprared for your own reactions.

Chris

Yeah, bummer on the "emergency medicine" thing. Last time for me was two years ago. It occured to me as I lay in the hospital that I ought to know better!

Beachdoc (Jeff): My wilderness kit presumes the use of analgesics only if the pain seem severe enough to cause life-threatening complications. Assume 1)no head injury 2) legal/DEA issues regarding controlled substance are taken care of.... what are your thoughts about Morphine Sulphate (e.g. the Oramorph SR 15mg.). They're quite small, and my understanding is that they rarely fail to work. Aside from possible nausea, should I be concerned enough about anything else to re-consider.

You're a great sport and quite an asset to the forum. My MD colleagues don't like to give free advice even about the day of the week. I usually have to buy at least one beer.

flush it.

If you inherited it:

1) you probably don't have the 'scrip.

2) you probably don't have the need.

3) There are better if you are going to risk the legal consequences of the first two points above.

4) It is probably going to be out of date soon and without the 'scrip there is no-refilling.

Narcotics are simply tools. I would encourage the use of a meaningful pain medicine to allow an injured patient to rest or tolerate transportation. Having pain under control will enable a person to eat and drink.

I woudl not hesitate to recommend folks include a suitable pain medication for use in an emergency. I frequently prescribe medications to sailors for a ship's medical chest with the vessel name as the "patient". Haven't ever had a problem.

The only thing I would say in caution is that ALL narcotics, including the semi-synthetics like codeine, hydrocodone, and oxycodone have the potential for inducing nausea and vomiting, which many patients report as "allergy". Some people object to the sedation or euphoria effect of the drug. Many of the side effects can be minimized by the co adminstration of promethazine (phenergan).

Have fun!

Jeff