Demerol Medication - Uses & Side Effects

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 and other medical conditions. 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 tablets are available. Demerol, a narcotic analgesic, is prescribed for the relief of moderate to severe pain.

Demerol is a narcotic analgesic with effects similar to morphine; the most prominent of these involve the central nervous system and organs composed of smooth muscle. When prescribed it is used for relief of moderate to severe pain.

Demerol Dosage

• The usual dosage of Demerol is 50 milligrams to 150 milligrams every 3 or 4 hours, determined according to your response and the severity of the pain.
• The usual dosage is 1.1 milligrams to 1.8 milligrams per 2.2 pounds of body weight, taken every 3 or 4 hours, as determined by your doctor.

Uses of Demerol

• This medication is a narcotic analgesic used to relieve moderate to severe pain.

Side Effects of Demerol

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Demerol. Side effects may include:

• Dizziness, light-headedness, nausea, sedation, sweating, vomiting
• cold, clammy skin
• difficulty breathing, wheezing
• irregular heartbeat, palpitations
• seizures
• severe rash
• unusual weakness
• confusion
• fainting spells
• nervousness or restlessness
• difficulty passing urine

Warnings and precautions before taking Demerol:

• You can build up tolerance to, and both mental and physical dependence on, Demerol if you take it repeatedly. Since it is possible that you could become addicted to Demerol, do not use it for any purpose other than what your doctor has prescribed it for. If you have ever had a problem with drug abuse, consult with your doctor before taking Demerol.
• Do not abruptly stop using Demerol, especially if you have been taking it for a while. Your doctor will have you gradually taper off Demerol to reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms, including restlessness, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, rapid heartbeat or breathing, increased blood pressure, or flu-like symptoms.
• Use Demerol with caution if you have any of the following: a severe liver or kidney disorder, sickle cell anemia, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland), adrenal gland dysfunction or tumor, an enlarged prostate, a urethral stricture (narrowing of the tube leading from the bladder), a severe abdominal condition, an irregular heartbeat, a history of convulsions, or a history of alcoholism (including alcohol withdrawal marked by delirium tremens).
• Be very careful taking Demerol if you are having a severe asthma attack, if you have frequently recurring lung disease, if you are unable to inhale or exhale extra air when needed, or if you have any pre-existing breathing difficulties.
• Use Demerol with caution if you have suffered any type of head injury. This medication may cause unusually slow or troubled breathing and may increase the pressure from fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Demerol should be used by people with a head injury only if the doctor considers it absolutely necessary.

Drug Interaction :- If Demerol is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Demerol with the following:

• Acyclovir (Zovirax)
  
• Antidepressant drugs such as Elavil or Tofranil
  
• Buprenorphine
  
• Butorphanol
  
• Cimetidine (Tagamet)
  
• General anesthetics such as Halothane or Versed
  
• Major tranquilizers (phenothiazines) such as Mellaril and Thorazine
  
• MAO inhibitors such as the antidepressant drugs Nardil and Parnate
  
• Muscle relaxants such as Parafon Forte and Soma
  
• Nalbuphine
  
• Other narcotic painkillers such as Percocet and Tylenol with Codeine
  
• Pentazocine
  
• Phenytoin (Dilantin)

Overdose

Symptoms of Demerol overdose include:

• Bluish discoloration of the skin, cold and clammy skin, coma or extreme sleepiness, limp, weak muscles, low blood pressure, slow heartbeat, troubled or slowed breathing
• luish discoloration of the skin, and cold, clammy skin