Demerol drug card

trade/brand name

Demerol

generic name

Merperidine Hydrochloride

route of administration

Oral, I.M injection, subcutaneous injection, I.V injection

Uses of the drug

To relieve moderate to severe pain, to provide preoperative sedation, as adjunct to anesthesia, and to provide obstetric analgesia.

Actions of the drug

Binds with opiate receptors in the spinal cord and higher levels of CNS. Meperidine stimulates mu and kappa receptors, which alters the perception of emotional response to pain.

Pregnancy Category

C

dosage and frequency

50 up to 150 mg ranging from 30 minutes to 4 hours as needed. Depending on what action it is being used for.

Contradictions of the drug

Acute asthma, hypersensitivity to meperidine, severe respiratory depression, upper respiratory tract obstruction, increased intracranial pressure and use within 14 days of MAO inhibitor therapy.

Side effects and adverse reactions

Agitation, confusion, dizziness, headache, increased intracranial pressure, hypotension, tachycardia, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, dyspnea, respiratory arrest, seizures.

Classification of the drug

Analgesic