Meperidine [Pethidine]

This chapter describes trade name, classification, approved indications for psychological disorders, usual dosage and administration, relative contraindications, clinically significant drug intractions and adverse drug reactions of Meperidine. Meperidine appears to elicit its analgesic and CNS and respiratory depressant actions primarily by binding to the endorphin receptors in the CNS. Meperidine has several therapeutic actions qualitatively similar to those of morphine, one of which is analgesia. Meperidine is extensively metabolized, primarily in the liver, with only approximately 5% eliminated in unchanged form in the urine. Concurrent alcohol use may increase the CNS depressant action of meperidine. Advise patients to avoid, or limit, their use of alcohol while receiving meperidine pharmacotherapy. The most serious ADRs associated with meperidine pharmacotherapy include respiratory depression, circulatory depression, respiratory arrest, shock, and cardiac arrest. Meperidine overdosage requires emergency symptomatic medical support of respiratory and other body systems with attention to increasing meperidine elimination.