What is an alternative painkiller for darvocet I heard the FDA is possibly taking it off the market and I have had positive results for years for my Knee and would like an alternative that has similar actions
2/24/09 8:25pm
There are many other types of painkillers that will be able to help you and the best person to talk to about this is your rheumatologist who may have better insight in the likelihood of the FDA taking Darvocet off the market. I would also recommend that you discuss other treatment options with your doctor, as a sort of safety net should the drug go off the market. It will help you feel better if you know more about the other treatments options out there, such as increased dose of the DMARD drug you're currently on (DMARDs is short for disease modifying antirheumatic drug like methotrexate, Paquenil, the Biologics) or "bigger" DMARDs than the one you're taking.
I understand your worry - Vioxx was the only one that worked for me and then it was taken off the market. However, after that happened I started taking the Biologics and am now doing much better than I was back then. So don't panic, but do make an appointment to see your rheumatologist to discuss your concern.
2/11/11 12:01pm
You're absolutely right. It is a crime that the FTA is yanking drugs off the market that have worked so well for many people for so long. I was also on Vioxx and having to stop taking it sent me into one of the worst flares I've ever experienced. However, when you look at the evidence about Vioxx, it seemed to be warranted to take it off the market. You may want to check out Karen Lee Richards' post on this FDA decision to take Darvocet off the market.
2/23/09 2:47pm
There are loads of pain relievers on the market. Vicodin and percocet may be an option for you.
11/20/10 4:12am
What if vicodin and percoset are too strong? Darvocet was the strongest opiate I could take without getting extremely ill. Would Ultram be a good alternative med to replace Darvocet for back pain?
11/22/10 7:42pm
Ultram is a glorified Tylanol. Try meloxicam or celebrex. or take a weaker dose of percoset or vicodin.
11/23/10 11:21am
No ultram would not be a good alternative med. I have had back surgery and have been taking Darvocet for over 15 years and I tried Ultram and it was nothing I mean it did not even touch the pain.
1/28/11 1:28pm
Charlie, SAME lack of pain relief for me with Ultram -- tis like taking nothing...
2/23/09 4:46pm
Please be careful with the "cet" family of narcotic painkillers.. not only are they highly addictive but they also contain large amounts of tylenol that are not good for you liver.. Especially if you are on methotrexate.. I have yet to meet a rheumatologist who will prescribe a narcotic unless you are in a crippling phase of RA. However, some GP's and internalist will prescribe you anything you want to get you out of their office.. a friend of mine is now addicted to high doses of prescribed morphine because of a pain management physician.. she will turn to the streets and buy heroine if her meds run out before the end of the month.
Narcotic, barbituates and opiots are nothing to play with when it comes to chronic pain.. And believe me there are times when I would die for a painkiller.. i have been living with RA for over 10 years now. The only pain reliever my Doc will prescribe is naproxen sodium. and sometimes it sucks..
12/12/10 10:02pm
You are badly mistaken to advise people to live with constant pain when there are opiate painkillers available that will give them a much better quality of life. Anyone can and will become addicted if they abuse their medication. Cronic and constant pain causes depression and depression KILLS! My Dr. has had me on three darvocet N-100 per day along with 15mg Mobic which works great for my constant joint pain from arthritis. The darvocet made me a little drowsey at first but when I got used to it there was no problem, and I never take more than I'm supposed to. I take it right on schedule like any maintainence med. Now that they're discontinuing darvocet I hate the thought of going back to constant chronic pain. As long as there is medication for pain I WON'T HURT, and I won't take advice from anybody that says I should.
12/13/10 11:26am
I do not advise anyone to live in the constant pain that I do. I was diagnosed with severe RA as a teenager in high school and have been living with the agony since (I am 42 now). So I know exactly what pain and pain related depression is. With the dozens of doctors and specialist I have been to, not any of them including my pain management doc, will prescribe me with painkillers except after surgeries.
I agree with you about not returning to a life of pain. I truly wish I was as fortunate.
I am only saying be careful and responsible with pain killers. You are wise to stick to your dosage was prescribed. I believe it is a great accomplishment and wonderful news that you have your eyes open.
I apologize if it seemed I came across strongly. But since I have seen many go in and out of rehab as directed by the very same doctors who have prescribed the painkillers, I only want to recommend caution. You, yourself said in your post, "Anyone can and will become addicted if they abuse their medication."
Heck even beer and alcohol commercials and advertisements warn, "Drink responsibly."
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"It will help you feel better if you know more about the other treatments options out there, such as increased dose of the DMARD drug you're currently on (DMARDs is short for disease modifying antirheumatic drug like methotrexate, Paquenil, the Biologics) or "bigger" DMARDs than the one you're taking."
.........
Pacquenil? Do you mean Plaquenil? I took that when I was first diagnosed with RA and had to go see an eye specialist twice a year to test for Plaquenil poisoning, which can blind a person. (Where's the FDA on this?) I was taken off Plaquenil after using it about two years.
I had taken Prednisone along with some other Steroids (Prednisolone) along with Methotrexate along with Vioxx and Darvocet. When Vioxx was taken off the market I was switched to Mobic (then Meloxicam-generic form since Mobic is expensive). I have been off the steroids especialy Prednisone because I had a bad reaction to it.
Taking just Methotrexate and Meloxicam just doesn't always cut it for me especially during the cold, wet winter season. I did not abuse Darvocet. When the pain started getting to be too much, I would cut a Darvocet in half and take that first to see if it helped. If it wasn't enough, I could increase my dosage by halves. Usually just the Half Darvocet did help to take the edge off enough so I could function and work my job. In fact,I felt pretty good with just a half Darvocet. I have had no problems with Darvocet and am enraged that the FDA would pull the rug out from under me by banning it. Am I now supposed to take larger doses of pain killers that won't work as well as Darvocet? Well that's just great for the liver and heart isn't it. Or maybe I'll just have to suffer, lose my job and go on disability because I can't function normally due to pain.