DISQUS

A Happy Hospitalist: http://thehappyhospitalist.blogspot.com/2009/01/recommendation-to-ban-darvocet.html

  • Allen · 10 months ago
    I predict the Law of Unintended Consequences will be heard from soon after a ban.

    What will this be replaced with? Oh, Vicodin maybe. That's a good trade, Darvocet for Vicodin.

    (I wonder if this is going to make i through the comment filters)?

    GruntDoc





  • scalpel · 10 months ago
    I don't think Darvocet is all that great, but it fills a necessary void between plain Tylenol and Vicodin, particularly in patients who are allergic to codeine. I think Ultram has more downside than Darvocet.

    A teaspoon of Lortab elixir is like half a Vicodin, but it's much more expensive.

  • Anonymous · 10 months ago
    Scalp, I would be interested to your insights on Ultram. I take this now, and though it helped at first I now wonder if it ultimately makes things worse when you try to get off of it. I've read a small spattering of patients comments who claim this. It's impossible to tell though, as I have RA and been a chronic prednisone user and have a very difficult time trying to taper off that also. Of course rheumy touted the tramadol as not being addictive. I don't think addictive, but perhaps dependent?
  • Anonymous · 10 months ago
    Scalp, I would be interested to your insights on Ultram. I take this now, and though it helped at first I now wonder if it ultimately makes things worse when you try to get off of it. I've read a small spattering of patients comments who claim this. It's impossible to tell though, as I have RA and been a chronic prednisone user and have a very difficult time trying to taper off that also. Of course rheumy touted the tramadol as not being addictive. I don't think addictive, but perhaps dependent?
  • IcedLatte · 10 months ago
    Actual patient conversation (well, almost kinda):

    Patient: I am in AGONY! I had a car accident 22 year ago and 15,243 doctors haven't been able to help me. I'm allergic to morphine, codeine, hydrocodone, Dilaudid, Percocet, Tylenol #3, Percodan, Darcocet, Lortab, methadone, Ultram, Ultracet, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Naprosyn, Naproxyn, Alleve, acetominophen, aspirin, Paracetamol, oxycodone, Toradol.
    Me: What happens when you take these drugs?
    Patient: (Looking completely comfortable while texting 12 people simultaneously on better cellphone than mine.) Oh, I nearly DIE! There's one drug, only one drug, hmmmm....What's the name? Oh, it's right on the tip of my tongue, ah, um...Oh, yeah, it's DEEEEEmoral. DEEEEmoral. Is that it? Yes, yes, that's it. Is that how you say it? I just can't keep these drugs straight. Oh, and my last doctor told me to tell you that you shouldn't even bother with the 50mg dose. I need at least 150mg to even make it possible for me to sit up.
    Me: Kill me.




  • Toni Brayer MD · 10 months ago
    The worst addictions I see are from Vicodin. I have never seen a Darvocet addiction. Darvocet is generic and cheap and is a good bridge for chronic pain patients. For some it works, for many it doesn't. Who the hell would want to ban it and force patients to pay lots more for meds and develop a real addiction to Vicodin? Get these stupid policymakers out of my office!!!