Tylenol vs Darvocet-N 100

Now, that you know the difference between Tylenol and Darvocet brands (see our previous post), we may add a few more details to it.

Besides "regular" Darvocet (which consists of 650 mg acetaminophen and 65 mg propoxyphene hydrochloride), there is another preparation of the drug known as Darvocet-N 100. In place of hydrochloride salt of propoxyphene, the latter contains propoxyphene napsylate, a different kind of salt which has a remarkable feature of being insoluble in water. Moreover, it gives lower peak blood level, so the experienced effects are milder while the treatment remains as effective. At the same time, due to the fact that Darvocet-N 100 pills cannot be dissolved for making an injection, they have a less potential for abuse. Snorting them is useless, too, because propoxyphene napsylate has to go through the intestines (be digested) to become effective.

Each single Darvocet-N 100 dose contains 650 mg acetaminophen and 100 mg propoxyphene napsylate ("N" and "100" seen in the drug's name). The medication is commonly available in pills, such as MYLAN 155, or Mallinckrodt's M 1721 pill. One may guess that the medicine is stronger that regular Darvocet with its 65 mg of propoxyphene (hydrochloride), but, in fact, the effects of 100 mg propoxyphene napsylate are approximately equal to 65 mg propoxyphene hydrochloride.

An essential fact is that any Darvocet pill contains as much as 650 mg acetaminophen, much more than any Tylenol preparation, including Tylenol Extra Strength. As the maximum amount of acetaminophen must not exceed 1000 mg per dose, or 4000 mg taken during the day, one has to be careful in order not to overdose (an acetaminophen overdose is harmful for the liver).

Tylenol vs Darvocet

As we have already stated, Tylenol is a brand name while acetaminophen is a name of the active ingredient found in Tylenol (other name variations for that ingredient are paracetamol and APAP). Darvocet is a brand name, too. And acetaminophen is one of the two active ingredients found in this drug. So, what is the difference between Tylenol and Darvocet?

"Regular" Darvocet (the brand opposed to the so-called Darvocet-N 100) contains two active ingredients: acetaminophen and propoxyphene hydrochloride. Tylenol preparations always contain acetaminophen, either pure or in combination with other substances, such as codeine (in Tylenol 3), or diphenhydramine (in Tylenol PM). But in Tylenol, no matter what brand it is, acetaminophen is the main ingredient, while other substances are added to increase or prolong its effects. In Darvocet, we see that acetaminophen acts as intensifier added to the other active ingredient, propoxyphene.

However, the amount of acetaminophen found in Darvocet is noticeably higher as compared to any preparation of Tylenol brand. Even Tylenol Extra Strength contains just 500 mg acetaminophen, while in Darvocet we find 650 mg acetaminophen!

Do not forget that in pills, such as MYLAN 130, this amount is added to increase the effects of 65 mg propoxyphene hydrochloride, which is a strong analgetic itself. What do we get as a result? A strong pain killer, much stronger than Tylenol. Being so potent, Darvocet can hardly be recommended for use in pediatric patients, as even Tylenol 500 (Extra Strength) is not usually administered for children under 12 years of age.

Acetaminophen Found In Other Compounds

We do only only find acetaminophen in Tylenol variations where it can be combined with other substances, such as codeine. Acetaminophen is a widely used active ingredient found in a number of other drugs, too.

The Top 3 of them can be listed as follows: Darvocet, Percocet and Vicodin.

In Darvocet, acetaminophen is combined with propoxyphene. In Percocet, with oxycodone. In Vicodin, with hydrocodone. In each case, acetaminophen is combined with an opioid analgetic, a mild narcotic pain reliever, increasing its effects and in this way relieving pain better without making the dose of an opioid higher.