What is Meperidine?
Meperidine belongs to a drug class called narcotic analgesics (pain medicines). It is used to relieve moderate and severe pain and as an adjunct to anesthesia.
Is Meperidine the same as Demerol?
Yes. Meperidine in the injectable form is known as Demerol.
Meperidine may be used as a component of balanced anesthesia, along with a hypnotic agent such as propofol and a sedative such as midazolam. Meperidine is also often used before or after surgery to help with pain.
Meperidine is often described as having similar effects as morphine. Meperidine is about one-tenth as potent as Morphine, it is short-acting and has a high risk of abuse. Meperidine leads to restlessness where Morphine leads to sedation and can cause dry mouth and blurred vision. Both have a euphoric effect and can cause dependence symptoms.
Meperidine Addiction
Meperidine is most often used to treat ongoing pain, but drug abuse is possible. The use of meperidine can lead to addiction. This happens because the body becomes tolerant of the drug and starts craving it more and more. The addiction can be treated and will begin with addressing the physical dependence.
Meperidine Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal will vary from person to person and depend on the length of time that a person has been taking the drug.
The main symptoms of withdrawal are:
-
Nausea
-
Anxiety
-
Shaking
-
Insomnia
-
Vomiting
-
Hallucinations
There can be severe life-threatening withdrawal symptoms such as severe respiratory depression, overdose, or occasionally fatal reactions. If you or someone you know is experiencing withdrawal symptoms it is important to contact a healthcare provider immediately such as a doctor or an emergency medical facility for help.
Can you Overdose on Meperidine?
Yes. An overdose can cause severe side effects, including respiratory depression and death. Narcotic analgesics cause overdose when someone takes more than a regular or recommended dosage forms of this medicine. This can be by accident or on purpose.
Symptoms of Overdose
Symptoms of a meperidine overdose include:
-
Nausea or vomiting
-
Confusion
-
Clammy skin
-
Profound sedation
-
Low blood pressure
-
Breathing problems such as shallow breathing or slowed breathing
-
Fatal respiratory depression
-
Seizures
Dosage Forms and Routes of Administration
Meperidine can be prescribed by a doctor and taken orally, by injection, or as a suppository. It can also be administered via intravenous infusion or continuous drip into a vein.
Acute pain, breathing problems and severe drowsiness are recognizable signs that a physical dependence could be active regardless of the dosage form or administrative route of meperidine.
The drug is not recommended for use in children under 12 years old and should not be given to pregnant women who are in labor.
Drug Interactions
Drug interactions when combined with prescription drugs or street drugs include dizziness, light headedness, and nausea.
Tell your doctor before mixing meperidine with certain medications like tricyclic antidepressants, MAOI inhibitors, antihistamines, benzodiazepines, sedatives, and other CNS depressants. Seek emergency medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
It is not wise to take other drugs or drink alcohol when using this medication. This can lead to adverse effects.
Meperidine can be used in combination with other medications, such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) or ibuprofen, to relieve pain after surgery or other medical procedures is approved by your doctor or pharmacist.
How does Meperidine Affect the Body?
Meperidine acts on the central nervous system, spinal cord, and brain to produce a variety of effects, including analgesia, sedation, euphoria, and respiratory depression.
Meperidine has been shown to be effective in relieving pain when used at higher doses than other opioids such as morphine or hydrocodone. It can be administered orally or by injection.
Meperidine Adverse Effects
The adverse reactions of meperidine can happen from a missed dose and can include dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, itching, dry mouth, constipation, severe drowsiness, and in older adults difficulty urinating. Contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical help if you notice these symptoms.
What is Addiction?
Addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that affects an individual’s brain reward system and leads to compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences.
Addiction is considered to be a brain disease because it changes the way the brain works. The addiction causes the individual to need more and more of the substance to experience the same effect. Addiction can happen with substances like drugs or alcohol, gambling, or sex.
Moderate to Severe Pain and Mental Illness
Mental illness is often misdiagnosed when coupled with addiction. Many times an addicted person who is actively drinking and using meperidine and other drugs can appear as though their mental capabilities are compromised.
It is a vicious cycle when pain is involved. Physical pain is treated with addictive medications, and when the line into addiction is crossed, it is very difficult to stay the course into recovery. Once the addiction is treated, the under lying issues are easier to diagnose without the effects of drugs or alcohol.
The Central Nervous System and Meperidine
Narcotic analgesics (pain medicines) act on the central nervous system (CNS) for pain relief. The central nervous system (CNS) is affected by narcotic analgesics, muscle relaxants and street drugs that are designed to remove pain.
Breathing problems and even a fatal overdose can occur if you are not following the advice from your doctor or pharmacist or reading the directions on the prescription label.
When meperidine is used for a long time, it may become habit-forming, causing mental or physical dependence. Individuals with continuing pain should be aware of the risks associated with dependence.
Addiction happens when someone uses drugs in ways other than how they were prescribed for them or when they use them in combination with other drugs and alcohol.
Prescription Drug Addiction
Prescription drug addiction is a disease that affects the brain and the body. Drug addiction causes a person to lose their ability to control the ramifications of their drug use.
Drug addiction can occur from the use of prescription medication. Always check with a doctor or pharmacist to learn about the addiction possibilities from prescription medication or over the counter medication.
Addiction Treatment at Turning Point of Tampa
Turning Point of Tampa is a drug and alcohol addiction center. We recognize drug addiction as an ever-increasing problem within this country. We also believe treatment based on the 12-Step philosophy leads a person to a life that is productive and meaningful.
Whether you or a loved one are suffering from addiction, we can help. Prescription drugs can be abused and pose a serious problem.
Getting Help at Turning Point of Tampa
Turning Point of Tampa has recognized drug addiction as a serious and treatable disease. If left untreated, a substance use disorder can lead to harmful consequences, including physical dependence.
Tell your doctor right away if you think you have a problem. It is important to get from a healthcare provider for medical help.
Drug Addiction
Drug addiction is a condition in which an individual becomes dependent on a drug or substance and exhibits compulsive behaviors to obtain it. It is also called substance abuse, chemical dependency, and drug dependence.
Compulsive behaviors may include excessive drug use compulsive drug seeking even when not needed, unsuccessful attempts to stop the behavior; impaired control of the amount taken, or time spent using drugs, diminished capacity for work or school because of drugs, social problems due to alcohol or other drugs, or continued use despite physical problems caused by drugs.
Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a powerful opioid that is being prescribed for pain management. It has been responsible for the deaths of many people who were not aware of the potency of this drug.
The drug was originally developed as a pain medication and anesthetic, but it has now been used as a recreational drug because it offers a high like heroin.
Hydrocodone
Hydrocodone is a prescription opioid medication that is used to treat pain.
Hydrocodone is a narcotic analgesic, also known as an opioid. It’s used for the relief of pain, and it can be either taken by mouth or given intravenously. Hydrocodone belongs to a class of drugs called opioids which are powerful pain relievers and include morphine, codeine, and heroin.
It’s important to know that hydrocodone is addictive, so it should not be taken for more than a few weeks without the supervision of a doctor.
Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine is a medication that is used to treat opioid addiction and withdrawal symptoms. It is also used as part of treatment for people with chronic pain that are not helped by other medicines.
This medication is a partial opioid agonist, meaning it has limited effects like an opioid while also blocking some of the effects, such as respiratory depression. It works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and reducing cravings for opioids.
