[natemic]

i recently looked at the interactions drugs.com gives for lorcet-10 and darvocet-100 and i cant make any sense of it. can anyone explain?




"You have searched for drug interactions between the following drugs: Darvocet-N 100, Lorcet 10-650

Please note: only generic drug names are displayed.
Drug-Drug Interactions

acetaminophen-hydrocodone and hydrocodone (major Drug-Drug)
Description:
MONITOR CLOSELY: Sedatives, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, antidepressants, and other central nervous system (CNS) depressants may have additive CNS- and/or respiratory-depressant effects with propoxyphene. Misuse of propoxyphene, either alone or in combination with other CNS depressants, has been a major cause of drug-related deaths, particularly in patients with a history of emotional disturbances, suicidal ideation, or alcohol and drug abuse. In a large Canadian study, propoxyphene use was also associated with a 60% increased risk of hip fracture in the elderly, and the risk was further increased by concomitant use of psychotropic agents (sedatives, antidepressants, neuroleptics), presumably due to additive psychomotor impairment. Therefore, these drugs may constitute a dangerous combination in certain susceptible populations. Pharmacokinetically, propoxyphene is a CYP450 2D6 inhibitor and may increase the plasma concentrations of many psychotropic agents such as neuroleptics (e.g., phenothiazines, haloperidol, risperidone), antidepressants (e.g., some tricyclic antidepressants and serotonin reuptake inhibitors), and phenobarbital.

MANAGEMENT:
Caution is advised if propoxyphene is used with sedatives, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, antidepressants, and other CNS depressants, particularly in the elderly and in patients with a history of emotional disturbances, suicidal ideation, or alcohol and drug abuse. Dosage reductions may be appropriate. Patients should be monitored for potentially excessive or prolonged CNS and respiratory depression and other CNS adverse effects. Patients should be warned not to exceed recommended dosages, to avoid alcohol, and to avoid activities requiring mental alertness until they know how these agents affect them."

[pharmd06]

they are both narcotics, taken together you increase the risk of depressing the part of the brain where you breath and you may stop breathing. you also have a greater risk of sedation.

they inhibit certain enzymes in the liver where they are cleared from the body, thus may interact with other meds

take one or the other.