Propoxyphene Hydrochloride, a Drug of Abuse

MOST DRUGS which relieve pain or exert a sedative effect on the central nervous system are subject to abuse, even though they do not cause rapid tolerance development or withdrawal symptoms. Propoxyphene hydrochloride appears to occupy an intermediate position between this group and the narcotic drugs proper. While there is, as yet, no large social problem with propoxyphene abuse, the possibility may well exist. Propoxyphene is a frequently used analgesic chemically similar to meperidine hydrochloride, methadone hydrochloride, and alphaprodine hydrochloride. This drug, regarded as presenting a minimal addiction liability by the expert committee of the World Health Organization¹and not subject to control domestically, was first shown to produce physical dependence by Fraser and Isbell in 1960.²Euphoria is reported by some patients. Among 14 patients in a double-blind comparison of placebo, codeine, propoxyphene and aspirin, propoxyphene was selected most often as being a euphoriant, and its frequency