Meperidine hydrochloride (
Demerol®) is an opiate pain reliever. Although it was a very popular pain reliever for decades, it has fallen out of favor in recent years due to its ability to produce a unique group of serious side effects. As a result, its use is usually limited to very specific situations in which other medications are not appropriate.
Meperidine is a narcotic and is a "controlled substance" in the United States.
As with any medicine, meperidine can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. Most people tolerate it quite well.
If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Common meperidine side effects include, but are not limited to:
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sweating.
(Click Side Effects of Meperidine to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking It?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this medication if you have:
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medications you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
How Does This Medication Work?
Meperidine is a narcotic, opiate pain reliever. It binds to opioid receptors throughout the body and produces numerous different effects, most notably pain relief and sedation.
Meperidine has a significant potential for both psychological and physical dependence and abuse. In fact, it is classified as a controlled substance, meaning there are special rules and regulations for prescribing and obtaining the medication.
When and How to Take the Drug
General considerations include the following:
- This medication comes in tablet, oral solution (liquid), or injectable form. The injection form can be injected into a muscle (intramuscularly), under the skin (subcutaneously), or by IV (intravenously).
- Try taking this medication with food if it seems to bother your stomach.
- For the oral solution form, each dose is diluted in half a glass of water, since taking it undiluted can cause numbing of the mouth.
- Do not drink alcohol while taking meperidine.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Do not increase your dose without your healthcare provider's approval. Do not suddenly stop taking meperidine, especially if you have taken it regularly for more than several weeks.
Meperidine Dosing Information
The dose of meperidine that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- The type and severity of your pain
- How you respond to the medication
- Your weight (for children)
- Other medications you are taking
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Potential Drug Interactions
What If I Take an Overdose of Meperidine?
An overdose with meperidine can be very dangerous. If you happen to overdose on this medication, seek immediate medical attention.
How Should This Medicine Be Stored?
Meperidine should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep this and all other medications out of the reach of children. Because it can be a desirable drug of abuse, make sure to keep it in a safe place.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Meperidine Dose?
If you forget to take a dose of Meperidine and notice significant pain, take your missed dose right away. However, make sure to wait the recommended amount of time before the next dose.
This medication is available in generic form
(see Generic Demerol for more information).
Brand-name meperidine tablets and oral solution are made by sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC. Brand-name meperidine injectable products are made by Hospira, Inc. Generic versions of this drug are made by various manufacturers.
This medication is available in the following strengths and forms:
- Meperidine 50 mg tablets
- Meperidine 100 mg tablets
- Meperidine 50 mg per 5 mL oral solution
- Meperidine injection (in various strengths and forms).
