Meperidine Injection
Medication Uses How To Use Side Effects Precautions Drug Interactions Overdose Notes Missed Dose Storage
USES: This medication is used to treat moderate to severe pain. It is also used before and during surgery or other procedures with other types of pain medication. Meperidine acts on certain centers in the brain to give pain relief. This medication is a narcotic pain reliever similar to morphine. HOW TO USE: This medication is given by injection into a vein, muscle, or under the skin as directed by your doctor. When meperidine is injected into a vein, it is given slowly to prevent serious side effects. If this medication is given into a muscle or under the skin, it is important to change the location of the injection site to avoid developing problem areas under the skin. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Pain medications work best if used at the first signs of pain. If you wait until the pain worsens, the medication may not work as well. You should be lying down when the injection is given to prevent side effects such as dizziness. If you self-administer this medication at home, learn all preparation and usage instructions from your healthcare professional. Before using, visually inspect the product for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Learn how to safely store and discard medical supplies. If you experience nausea, consult your doctor or pharmacist for ways to decrease it. This medication may cause withdrawal reactions, especially if used regularly for a long time or in high doses. In such cases, withdrawal symptoms may occur if you suddenly stop using this medication. To prevent withdrawal reactions, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions immediately. This medication can also be habit-forming and result in abnormal drug-seeking behavior. To lessen the risk of addiction, do not increase your dose, take it more frequently, or use it for a longer time than prescribed. Properly stop the medication when directed. If used for an extended period, this medication may not work as well and may require different dosing. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well. Inform your doctor if your pain persists or worsens.
SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, vomiting, constipation, dry mouth, flushing, sweating, lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness, and pain/redness at the injection site may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. To prevent constipation, maintain a diet adequate in fiber, drink plenty of water, and exercise. If you become constipated while using this drug, consult your pharmacist for help in selecting a laxative. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: slow/irregular/fast heartbeat, mental/mood changes, numbness, shakiness, trouble urinating, severe stomach/abdominal pain, change in urine amount. Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: slow/shallow breathing, fainting, seizures. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: rash, itching/swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. PRECAUTIONS: Before using meperidine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: abdominal problems, adrenal gland problem, large blood loss, brain disorders, heart problems, kidney disease, liver disease, breathing problems, mental/mood disorders, regular use/abuse of drugs/alcohol, sickle cell anemia, stomach/intestinal problems, a certain spinal problem, underactive thyroid, trouble urinating. Meperidine is usually used only for a short time. Repeated or high doses may cause serious side effects such as seizures and shaking. Caution is advised if this medication is used for conditions that require long-term or high-dosage treatment. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details. This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. To lower your risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug. Caution is advised when using this drug in children. Before using this medication, women of childbearing age should talk with their doctor(s) about the risks and benefits. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It may slightly increase the risk of birth defects if used during the first two months of pregnancy. Also, using it for a long time or in high doses near the expected delivery date may harm the unborn baby. To lessen the risk, use the smallest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Tell the doctor right away if you notice any symptoms in your newborn baby such as slow/shallow breathing, irritability, abnormal/persistent crying, vomiting, or diarrhea. This drug passes into breast milk and is unlikely to harm a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval. Some products that may interact with this drug include: acyclovir, cimetidine, certain other pain medications, narcotic blockers, phenytoin, ritonavir. Taking MAO inhibitors with this medication may cause a serious drug interaction. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors during treatment with this medication. Report the use of drugs that might increase seizure risk when combined with meperidine such as isoniazid, phenothiazines, theophylline, or tricyclic antidepressants. The risk of serious side effects may be increased if this medication is taken with other products that may also affect breathing or cause drowsiness. Therefore, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products such as alcohol, medicine for sleep or anxiety, muscle relaxants, and other narcotic pain relievers. Check the labels on all your medicines because they may contain drowsiness-causing ingredients. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely. This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests, possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug. OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include: slow breathing, slow heartbeat, seizure, loss of consciousness. NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. It is against the law. This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another condition unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in that case. MISSED DOSE: Not applicable. STORAGE: Some forms of meperidine injection do not contain a preservative and should be used only once. If you are using a product designed for single use, discard any unused liquid and do not save for later use. Consult the product instructions and your pharmacist for storage details. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company. Information last revised October 2013. Copyright(c) 2013 First Databank, Inc.
Summary
Meperidine injection (Demerol) is a medication used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Demerol is a narcotic analgesic given by injection. Side effects, precautions, drug interactions, and pregnancy safety information should be reviewed prior to taking this medication.
