Meperidine

Pronunciation: me-PER-ih-deen
Generic Name: Meperidine
Brand Name: Demerol

Meperidine is used for:

Short-term treatment of moderate to severe pain. It may also be used before or during surgery (eg, to support anesthesia), for pain relief during labor and delivery, or for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Meperidine is a narcotic analgesic. It works in the brain and nervous system to decrease pain.

Do NOT use Meperidine if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Meperidine


• you have severely slow or difficult breathing


• you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days


• you are taking ritonavir, sibutramine, or sodium oxybate (GHB)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Meperidine:

Some medical conditions may interact with Meperidine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have had an allergic reaction to any codeine- or morphine-related medicine (eg, hydrocodone, oxycodone, dihydrocodeine, hydromorphone)


• if you have a history of lung or breathing problems (eg, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], cor pulmonale); low levels of oxygen or high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood; sickle cell anemia; adrenal gland problems (eg, Addison disease, pheochromocytoma); curvature of the spine (scoliosis); thyroid problems; low blood pressure; an enlarged prostate; urinary blockage or trouble urinating; lung, liver, or kidney problems; heart problems (eg, fast or irregular heartbeat); seizures; or stomach or bowels problems (eg, inflammatory bowel disease)


• if you have or have recently had any head injury, brain tumor or other growths, or increased pressure in the brain


• if you drink alcohol; are going through withdrawal from alcohol or other substances; or have a history of alcohol or substance abuse or dependence, mental or mood problems, or suicidal thoughts or attempts


• if you have severe diarrhea due to taking an antibiotic (pseudomembranous colitis), constipation, stomach pain, low blood volume, dehydration, drowsiness, or severe weakness, or have had recent surgery

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Meperidine. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Mixed narcotic agonist/antagonists (eg, butorphanol, pentazocine), naltrexone, or rifamycins (eg, rifampin) because they may decrease Meperidine's effectiveness


• Furazolidone or MAOIs (eg, phenelzine) because the risk of serious side effects, including coma, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, seizures, and irregular heartbeat, may be increased


• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine) or sibutramine because the risk of side effects, including increased body temperature, mental or mood changes, muscle twitching, or severe drowsiness, may be increased


• Acyclovir, cimetidine, phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine), phenytoin, or ritonavir because the risk of side effects of Meperidine may be increased


• Muscle relaxers (eg, cyclobenzaprine) or sodium oxybate (GHB) because actions and side effects may be increased by Meperidine

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Meperidine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Meperidine:

Use Meperidine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Meperidine is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Meperidine at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Meperidine. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.


• Tell your doctor if you still experience pain or if your pain gets worse while using Meperidine.


• Do not use Meperidine if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.


• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.


• If you miss a dose of Meperidine and you are using it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Meperidine.

Important safety information:

• Meperidine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or light-headedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Meperidine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Meperidine may cause dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever can increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.


• Check with your doctor before you drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Meperidine; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.


• Meperidine may cause constipation. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about using a stool softener or laxative to prevent constipation. It is also important to maintain a diet adequate in fiber, drink plenty or water, and exercise to prevent constipation. If you become constipated while taking Meperidine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.


• Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor. Prolonged use of Meperidine may increase the risk of toxicity, including seizures.


• Do not suddenly stop taking Meperidine without first checking with your doctor. If you have been taking Meperidine for more than a few weeks and your doctor tells you to stop taking it, your dose may need to be gradually lowered as directed by your doctor to avoid side effects.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Meperidine before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Use Meperidine with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• Use Meperidine with extreme caution in CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially slowed or difficult breathing.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Meperidine while you are pregnant. Meperidine is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while using Meperidine.

When used for long periods of time or at high doses, Meperidine may not work as well and may require higher doses to obtain the same effect as when originally taken. This is known as TOLERANCE. Talk with your doctor if Meperidine stops working well. Do not take more than prescribed.

When used for long periods of time or at high doses, some people develop a need to continue taking Meperidine. This is known as DEPENDENCE or addiction.

If you suddenly stop taking Meperidine, you may experience WITHDRAWAL symptoms, including anxiety; appetite loss; backache; chills; diarrhea; enlarged pupils; fast heartbeat or breathing rate; increased tears; irritability; muscle or joint pain; nausea; restlessness; runny nose; severe or persistent dizziness; sleeplessness; stomach cramps; sweating; vomiting; weakness; and yawning.

Possible side effects of Meperidine:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; flushing; light-headedness; loss of appetite; nausea; sweating; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; confusion; difficulty urinating; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; mental or mood changes; numbness of an arm or a leg; seizure; severe or persistent constipation or stomach pain; severe or persistent dizziness or light-headedness; slowed, shallow, or difficult breathing; sudden severe headache, nausea, or vomiting; tremor; uncontrolled muscle movements; vision changes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Meperidine side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include chest pain; cold and clammy skin; fainting; limp muscles; loss of consciousness; low body temperature; seizures; severe dizziness or light-headedness; severe drowsiness; slowed heartbeat; slowed, shallow, or difficult breathing; small pupils.

Proper storage of Meperidine:

Meperidine is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Meperidine at home, store Meperidine as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Meperidine out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Meperidine, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Meperidine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Meperidine. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Meperidine resources

• Meperidine Side Effects (in more detail)
• Meperidine Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Meperidine Drug Interactions
• Meperidine Support Group
• 41 Reviews for Meperidine - Add your own review/rating

• Meperidine Prescribing Information (FDA)


• meperidine Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• meperidine Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Meperidine Hydrochloride Monograph (AHFS DI)

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