Meperidine hydrochloride U.S.P.

Meperidine (Demerol)

Category:

Analgesic

Description:

Synthetic opiate agonist analgesic

Indications:

Moderate to severe pain
Anesthesia adjunct for preoperative sedation

Contraindications:

Patients with impaired respiratory function.

Precautions:

Pregnancy Category C
Use with caution in patients with atrial flutter and other superventricular tachycardias.
Patients will experience CNS effects of drowsiness and dizziness, therefore use caution with motor vehicle operation or other hazardous tasks.
Avoid prolonged, sustained usage to decrease addiction potential.
Use with caution with other CNS depressive medications.

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

Sedation
Dizziness
GI effects (nausea, vomiting, dry mouth)

Dosage:

Administered in smallest effective dose, as infrequently as possible and titrated to pain control

Administered orally, SQ, IM, slow IV, or slow IV infusion

Adult:

Normal oral, SQ or IM: 50-150mg q3-4h as needed
Slow IV infusion 15-35mg per hour

Children:

1.1-1.8 mg/kg q3-4h as needed

Preoperative, Anesthesia adjunct:

Adult: 50-100mg SQ or IM 30-90 minutes before anesthesia
Children: 1-2.2 mg/kg (up to adult dose) SQ or IM 30-90 minutes before anesthesia

Labor anesthesia:

50-100mg SQ or IM when labor pain begins, repeat at 1-3 hour intervals if needed

The information contained here is an abbreviated summary. For more detailed and complete information, consult the manufacturer's product information sheets or standard textbooks.

Source: Operational Medicine 2001, Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300