Propoxyphene Testing

Examples: Darvon, Dolene, Doxaphene, Profene 65

Medical uses: Relief of mild to moderate pain.

Effects attractive to abuser: Same as that for opiates (see above)

Adverse effects: Same as that for opiates (see above).

How abused: Pills taken orally; occasionally injected as solution made
by dissolving pills in water.

Period detectable after last dose: 1-3 days

Note: Propoxyphene is technically an opiate and is chemically closely
related to methadone. As a pain-relieving drug, it is two-thirds as potent
as codeine. Although considered something of a minor leaguer in the opiate
world, it is nevertheless a cause of many drug-related deaths (including
that of former football star John Matuszak) especially if used in
combination with alcohol and other drugs.

Substances causing false positive results: Methadone (see above) at
high, toxic concentrations may cause false positive results. Confirmation
testing will eliminate interference by this drug.