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What is meperidine injection?

MEPERIDINE (Demerol®) relieves moderate to severe pain. Meperidine may be used to control pain following surgery, child birth, and other procedures. Meperidine may also be used to treat pain associated with cancer, heart attacks, sickle cell disease, other medical conditions and helps induce and maintain anesthesia. Federal law prohibits the transfer of meperidine to any person other than the patient for whom it was prescribed. Do not share this medicine with anyone else. Generic meperidine injections are available.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• diarrhea
• glaucoma
• heart disease
• intestinal disease
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• lung disease or breathing difficulties
• pain or difficulty passing urine
• prostate problems
• seizures
• an unusual or allergic reaction to meperidine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Meperidine is for injection into a muscle or under the skin or into a vein. The injection is usually given by a health-care professional in a clinic or hospital setting. If your prescriber or health care professional prescribes meperidine for around-the-clock relief of pain, you may be shown how to give yourself injections. Follow the directions carefully. Dispose of all injection equipment safely. Do not share this medicine with any one.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

This may not apply. If you are self-injecting and miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with meperidine?

• acyclovir
• furazolidone
• linezolid
• medicines for high blood pressure
• medicines called MAO inhibitors-phenelzine (Nardil®), tranylcypromine (Parnate®), isocarboxazid (Marplan®)
• medicines for seizures
• procarbazine
• other medicines for depression, such as SSRIs
• ritonavir
• selegiline
• valacyclovir

Because meperidine causes drowsiness, other medicines that also cause drowsiness may increase this effect of meperidine. Some medicines that cause drowsiness are:
• alcohol and alcohol containing medicines
• barbiturates such as phenobarbital
• certain antidepressants and tranquilizers
• certain antihistamines used in cold medicines
• muscle relaxants

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking meperidine?

Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your pain does not go away, if it gets worse or it you have a new or different type of pain.

Use exactly as directed by your prescriber or health care professional. If you are taking meperidine on a regular basis, do not suddenly stop taking it. Your body becomes used to the meperidine and when you suddenly stop taking it, you may develop a severe reaction. This DOES NOT mean you are "addicted" to meperidine. Addiction is a behavior related to getting and using a drug for a non-medical reason. If you have pain, you have a medical reason to take pain medicine such as meperidine to control your pain.

You may get drowsy or dizzy when you first start taking meperidine or change doses. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how meperidine affects you. Stand or sit up slowly, this reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. These effects may be worse if you are an older patient. The drowsiness should decrease after taking meperidine for a couple of days. If you have not slept because of your pain, you may sleep more the first few days your pain is controlled to catch-up on missed sleep.

Be careful taking other medicines which may also make you tired. This effect may be worse when taking these medicines with meperidine. Alcohol can increase possible drowsiness, dizziness, confusion and may affect your breathing. Avoid alcohol while taking meperidine.

Meperidine will cause constipation. Make sure to take a laxative and/or a stool softener while taking meperidine. Try to have a bowel movement every 2—3 days, at least. If you do not have a bowel movement for 3 days or more call your prescriber or health care professional. They may recommend using an enema or suppository to help you move your bowels.

Your mouth may get dry. Drinking plenty of water, chewing sugarless gum or sucking on hard candy may help to relieve dry mouth symptoms. Have regular dental checks.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking meperidine.

Rarely, meperidine may cause you to have hallucinations (to see things that are not really there) or cause your legs or arms to "jerk" or have spasms. If you experience these effects, call your prescriber or health care professional.

What side effects may I notice from taking meperidine?

Some side effects can be eased if you lie down after taking your medicine.
Rare or uncommon:
• cold, clammy skin
• difficulty breathing, wheezing
• irregular heartbeat, palpitations
• seizures
• severe rash
• unusual weakness
More common:
• confusion
• lightheadedness or fainting spells
• nervousness or restlessness
• difficulty passing urine

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• blurred vision
• constipation
• drowsiness, dizziness
• flushing
• dry mouth
• headache
• nausea, vomiting

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in the original container. Do not share or give this medicine to anyone else. Avoid accidental swallowing of meperidine by someone (especially children) other than the person for whom it was prescribed as this may result in severe effects and possibly death.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 25 degrees C (59 and 77 degrees F); do not freeze. Protect from light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.