Meperidine
(Demerol)
Why is this medication prescribed?
Meperidine is used to relieve moderate to severe pain.
Meperidine is in a class of medications called narcotic analgesics, a group of
pain medications similar to morphine. It works by changing the way the body
senses pain.
How should this medicine be used?
Meperidine comes as a tablet and a syrup (liquid) to take by
mouth. It is usually taken with or without food every 3-4 hours as needed for
pain. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your
doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take meperidine
exactly as directed.
Swallow the tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.
People who are dependent on meperidine or who want to abuse the medication may
consider crushing, chewing, snorting, or injecting it. Meperidine may cause
serious side effects or death if it is taken in these ways.
If you are taking meperidine syrup, mix your dose with half a
glass of water and swallow the mixture. Swallowing undiluted meperidine syrup
may numb the mouth.
Your doctor will probably adjust your dose of meperidine
during your treatment. Be sure to tell your doctor about any pain and side
effects you experience while taking this medication. This will help your doctor
find the dose that is best for you.
Meperidine can be habit forming. Do not take a larger dose,
or take it more often or for a longer period of time than you were told by your
doctor. If you have taken meperidine for longer than a few weeks, do not stop
taking the medication without talking to your doctor. Your doctor will probably
decrease your dose gradually. If you suddenly stop taking meperidine, you may
experience withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms may include: restlessness,
watery eyes, stuffy nose, yawning, sweating, chills, muscle pain, irritability,
nervousness, stomach pain, upset stomach, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea,
fast breathing, fast heartbeat, and back pain.
Other uses for this medicine
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your
doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking meperidine,
- tell
your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to meperidine or any other
medications.
- tell
your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are
taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: acyclovir (Zovirax);
antidepressants; butorphanol (Stadol NS); cimetidine (Tagamet);
chlorpromazine (Thorazine); fluphenazine (Permitil, Prolixin); medications
for anxiety, mental illness, pain, upset stomach, vomiting, and seizures;
mesoridazine (Serentil); muscle relaxants such as baclofen (Lioresal),
carisoprodol (Soma), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), methocarbamol (Robaxin),
and tizanidine (Zanaflex); pentazocine (Talwin); perphenazine (Trilafon);
phenytoin (Dilantin); prochlorperazine (Compazine); ritonavir (Norvir);
sedatives; sleeping pills; thioridazine (Mellaril); trifluoperazine (Stelazine);
triflupromazine (Vesprin); and tranquilizers. Also tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are taking the following medications or have stopped
taking them within the past 2 weeks: monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors
including isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil) selegiline (Eldepryl),
and tranylcypromine (Parnate). Your doctor may need to change the doses of
your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell
your doctor if you use or have ever used street drugs, if you drink or have
ever drunk large amounts of alcohol, and if you recently had surgery. Also
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had Addison's disease (a condition
in which the body does not produce certain important chemicals); a head
injury or a problem with pressure in your head or brain; mental illness;
asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other conditions
that affect your breathing; sickle cell anemia (a blood disease);
pheochromocytoma (a type of tumor); an abnormally curved spine, especially
if it causes breathing problems; enlarged prostate; urethral stricture
(narrowing of the opening through which urine leaves the body); irregular
heartbeat; seizures; stomach problems; or thyroid, liver, kidney, or lung
disease.
- tell
your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking meperidine, call your
doctor.
- if
you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist
that you are taking meperidine.
- you
should know that meperidine may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or
operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
- ask
your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are taking
meperidine. Alcohol and street drugs can make the side effects from
meperidine worse and can cause serious harm or death.
- you
should know that meperidine may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and
fainting when you get up too quickly from a lying position. This is more
common when you first start taking meperidine. To avoid this problem, get
out of bed slowly, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before
standing up.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal
diet.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
This medication is usually taken as needed. If your doctor
has told you to take meperidine regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you
remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed
dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to
make up for a missed one.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Meperidine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of
these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- lightheadedness
- dizziness
- weakness
- headache
- extreme
calm
- mood
changes
- confusion
- agitation
- upset
stomach
- vomiting
- stomach
pain or cramps
- constipation
- dry
mouth
- flushing
- sweating
- changes
in vision
Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are
uncommon, but if you experience any of them or those listed in the IMPORTANT
WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:
- slow
or difficult breathing
- shaking
hands that you cannot control
- muscle
twitches or stiffening
- seizures
- hallucination
(seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
- slow,
fast, or pounding heartbeat
- difficulty
urinating
- fainting
- rash
- hives
Meperidine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if
you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly
closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from
excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Protect this medication from
theft. Medication that is outdated or no longer needed should be flushed down
the toilet, not thrown away. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal
of your medication.