Meperidine

Definition

Meperidine, available as hydrochloride salt, is a narcotic analgesic, a classification limit used to describe medications capable of producing a reversible depression of the central nervous a whole for pain control. Because of its potential for physical and psychological concatenation meperidine is a carefully controll substance. It is commonly referr to through one of its brand names, Demerol

Purpose

There are several possible indications for the administration of meperidine. It is commonly used for the relief of moderate to rigorous pain, particularly in obstetrics. Meperidine is also widely used preoperatively, and as an adjunct to anesthesia during surgery Meperidine is not approveed for long-term management of chronic pain, similar as pain caused by cancer, because of its potential for psychological and physical dependence

Description

Meperidine is a synthetic combine that acts as an agonist-meaning it attaches to opioid receptors in the central nervous combination of parts to form a whole and stimulates physiologic activity normally stimulated through naturally occurring substances such as endorphins (short for endogenous morphine). Meperidine acts plenteous like morphine, although constipation, suppression of the cough retroactive and smooth muscle spasm are all reduc with meperidine.

Meperidine is available in a banana-flavored syrup in a tablet, and in a liquid form for injection. Oral meperidine accompanys to be less effective than the injectable form. When taking the syrup patients should dilute it with approximately individual half glass of water to restore temporary anesthesia to the jaws and tongue.

Recommended dosage

The approveed dosage of meperidine depends upon the purpose for which it is prescribed, as well as the population in whom it is administered. For example, somewhat old patients, or patients with underlying medical moot points that increase side effects or decrease physic metabolism, should generally be given reduc dosages. Meperidine can be taken orally, in tablet or syrup form, intravenously (directly into a vein), or by dint of injection into the muscle (intramuscularly) or connective tissue (subcutaneously).

Generally, repeated doses administered to manage pain should be given by means of injection intramuscularly. The subcutaneous passage is acceptable for occasional administration. When given intravenously, meperidine should be diluted and administered actual slowly. When taken in conjunction with phenothiazine or other tranquilizers, the dose should be decreased by dint of as much as a half. Specific dosages are as follows

For relief of moderate to rigorous pain.

The recommended dosage for adults for pain relief is 50-150 mg each three to four hours through oral or intramuscular route. When given intravenously from one side a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device, an initial dose of 10 mg should be administered. The PCA should be programmed to administer between 1-5 mg each 6-10 minutes. If meperidine is given continuously from one side an intravenous line, the dose should be adjusted based upon patient response to a range of 15-35 mg an hour. Children should be given 1-18 mg by kg (2.2 pounds) intramuscularly or subcutaneously.

For preoperative medication.

Adults may be given 50-100 mg of meperidine intramuscularly, or subcutaneously 30-90 minutes prior to surgery Children's dosages should be reduc to 1-2 mg by kg through the same routes

For obstetric pain dominion government The recommended dosage for superintendence of regular (not sporadic) pain in this setting is 50-100 mg each 1-3 hours intramuscularly or subcutaneously.

Precautions

Other patients who should avoid meperidine use include those with previous hypersensitivity to narcotics, or those with underlying respiratory question s Meperidine, even in recommended therapeutic doses, can decrease the respiratory drive. Conditions similar as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may increase the likelihood of respiratory difficulty. Meperidine can also impair mother-wit and should not be used in individuals engaging in activities that require alertness, of that kind as driving.

Because its issues on a fetus are unknown, meperidine is not commended in pre-labor stage pregnant women level in labor, when it may be indicated for pain command meperidine may cause respiratory depression of the mother and her baby, particularly premature babies. Meperidine is excret in breast milk, and, if straited should be administered several hours before breastfeeding to minimize ingestion by the agency of the infant.

Side effects

The greatest in quantity common adverse effects of meperidine are lightheadedness, dizziness, sedation, nausea and/or vomiting, and sweating. Les public but more severe, side issues include respiratory depression and abnormally depressed blood pressure.

Interactions

Individuals who are taking, or who have lately taken, drugs called monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (a class of antidepressants), should not be given meperidine. Reactions have been reported in this population that are characterized by the agency of a variety of signs and symptoms including respiratory distress, coma, abnormally depressed or abnormally high blood crushing hyperexcitability, and even death. If administration of a narcotic is required, it should be given in small, gradually increasing experiment doses under careful supervision.