Demerol

Emergencies

Call MD if you have not moved your bowels in 2 days. Abruptly stopping the drug can cause anxiety, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, and tiredness. The drug should be gradually stopped.

Less common side effects

Changes in mood, Euphoria, Mental clouding, Decreased breathing rate, Decreased blood pressure when changing position, Delayed digestion, Decreased heart rate

Common side effects

Constipation, Drowsiness, Sedation, Nausea, Vomiting, Dizziness, Dry mouth

Precautions

Take the smallest effective dose to prevent development of tolerance (larger doses needed to give the same effect) as well as physical dependence (body goes into withdrawal if drug is suddenly stopped). This is different from addiction, which is psychological dependence (take drug for psychological effect, not for relief of pain). Tell your doctor or nurse if you still are in pain even though you are taking the medicine as directed. Since meperidine hydrochloride affects the central nervous system (CNS), it is important not to take other drugs or substances that are known CNS depressants such as alcohol, sedatives, and hypnotics.

How Should I Take This Drug?

Take this drug exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand the instructions, ask your doctor or nurse to explain them to you.

Should I avoid any other medications, foods, alcohol, and/or activities?

Your prescription and nonprescription medications may interact with other drugs, causing a harmful effect. Certain foods or alcohol can also interact with drug products. Never begin taking a new medication, prescription or nonprescription, without asking your doctor or nurse if it will interact with alcohol, foods or other medications. Some drug products can cause drowsiness and may affect activities such as driving.

Type of Drug

a synthetic opioid analgesic, similar to morphine

How Drug Is Given

can be given by an injection in a vein, in the muscle, or under the skin. It can also be given as a pill by mouth. The dose depends on the reason the medicine is being given and how well your pain goes away with the dose.

How Drug Works

relieves moderate to severe acute pain. It binds to opioid receptors in the brain and central nervous system (CNS), altering the perception of pain as well as the emotional response to pain.

Precautions (2)

Acetaminophen or aspirin may be combined with meperidine hydrochloride to increase pain relief. You should be on a bowel regimen to prevent constipation while you are taking opioid pain relievers. Talk to your nurse or doctor about this. Meperidine hydrochloride is used to relieve acute pain, such as postoperative pain. It should not be used to manage chronic pain related to cancer. The pain relief is short acting, and frequent use can cause dangerous side effects.