Abstract: | Two studies compared propoxyphene napsylate (Darvon-N) with methadone hydrochloride as maintenance treatment for narcotic addicts. Most measures indicated that methadone was more effective than propoxyphene as a maintenance drug. Patients receiving propoxyphene reported more withdrawal-related symptoms early in treatment, tended to drop out sooner than patients receiving methadone, and were more likely to abuse heroin. Nevertheless, follow-up interviews at one and six months after treatment indicated no between-group differences in adjustment. |