Sometimes the pain we experience can be so severe that it cannot be controlled with a regular painkiller . Think of the pain that comes after a major surgery, or a serious accident. Today we are talking about a special, powerful painkiller injection that is given to control such severe, severe pain. You may have heard of it, and it is called Meperidine. Some people know it by the brand name `(Demerol)`.
What is Meperidine?
Simply put, meperidine is a very strong painkiller. Doctors usually prescribe it when you can't tolerate other painkillers or when they don't control your pain.
This belongs to a group of drugs called `(Opioids)`. To be precise, this medicine works by blocking pain signals to the brain. When the pain signals are no longer sent to the brain, we stop feeling pain. Sometimes this injection is also used to make you sleepy before a medical test or surgery.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Since this is a very powerful medicine, it is extremely important to inform your doctor about any other medical conditions you may have. Be sure to mention any of the conditions listed in the table below if you have any.
| Your medical condition | Why should you inform? |
|---|---|
| A brain tumor or head injury | Because these medications may increase pressure in the brain. |
| Kidney or liver disease | Because it can be difficult to get the medication out of the body, the dosage may need to be adjusted. |
| Asthma, lung disease, or breathing difficulties | These medications can slow breathing, which can be dangerous. |
| Seizures | This medicine may increase the risk of seizures. |
| A tendency to use alcohol or drugs | This is a drug with a risk of addiction, so special care is required. |
| If you have taken MAOI medications (e.g. Marplan, Nardil) in the past 14 days | These two drugs can react together and cause a very serious, even life-threatening, condition. |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or are a breastfeeding mother | This medicine may affect the baby, so it should definitely be discussed with the doctor. |
| Allergy to other medicines, foods or substances | To find out if you are allergic to this medicine or any of its ingredients. |
How should I use this medicine?
Because it is a vaccine, it is usually given to you by a doctor or nurse in a hospital or clinic. The vaccine can be given into your muscle, under the skin, or into a vein .
Very rarely, some patients may need to receive this vaccine at home. If this happens, you will be carefully instructed on how to prepare it and how to give yourself the vaccine. Never take more than your doctor tells you to, or take it earlier than the prescribed time.
Warning: If you think you have overdosed on this medicine, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . This can be life-threatening.
This is a medicine prescribed for you only. Do not share it with anyone else for any reason.
What are the interactions with other medications?
Meperidine is a drug that can interact with many other medications, so tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies).
| Drugs that should not be taken with meperidine | |
|---|---|
MAOI drugs for depression (e.g. Marplan, Nardil, Parnate), Linezolid, Methylene blue, Ritonavir, etc. Taking these together can cause very serious side effects . | |
| Things to be very careful about when taking with meperidine | |
| Alcohol | It can cause severe conditions such as difficulty breathing, excessive drowsiness, and loss of consciousness. Never take them together. |
| Medications for sleep, anxiety, and depression | Excessive drowsiness and slow breathing increase. |
| Allergy, cough, and cold medications | These cause drowsiness, so the effect is increased when taken with meperidine. |
| Other opioid painkillers | The risk of side effects is very high. |
| Anesthetics and muscle relaxants used during surgery | If you are undergoing surgery, it is essential to inform the doctor that you are taking meperidine. |
Things to keep in mind when taking this medicine
Pain and medication dosage
Tell your doctor if your pain does not go away, if it gets worse, or if you have a new type of pain. After taking this medicine for a long time, your body can get used to it. This is called ``Tolerance''. This means that the dose you were taking before is not enough to control your pain, and you may need a slightly higher dose. This is normal.
The important thing is that your body gets used to a medication, not because you're addicted to it. Addiction is using a medication for psychological reasons, without a medical reason. Taking a medication because you're in pain is a medical reason.
Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly. Doing so may cause severe withdrawal symptoms . If your doctor wants you to stop taking the medicine, he or she will gradually reduce the dose.
Other effects
- Driving and operating machinery: This medicine may reduce your alertness and reaction time. Therefore, avoid driving or operating machinery until you know exactly how this medicine affects you.
- Dizziness : You may experience dizziness and fainting. To reduce this, stand up straight when you get up from a sitting position or when you get out of bed.
- Constipation: This is a common side effect of opioid medications. If you have not had a bowel movement for 3 days, tell your doctor. Drinking plenty of water and eating a high-fiber diet can help.
- Dry mouth: If your mouth is dry, chewing sugar-free gum and sipping water may help.
What side effects might I experience?
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Severe allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Slow breathing (CNS depression) | Slow or shallow breathing, difficulty breathing, excessive sleepiness, confusion. |
| Low blood pressure | Dizziness, fainting, blurred vision. |
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Constipation | Dizziness and drowsiness |
| Dry mouth | Headache, nausea, vomiting |
Take-Home Message
- Meperidine is a powerful painkiller that is prescribed only for severe pain .
- Before you start taking this medicine, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and all other medications you are taking .
- Avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking this medicine.
- Do not give this medicine to anyone else for any reason. It is very dangerous.
- Avoid stopping the medication suddenly. The dosage should be gradually reduced as per the doctor's instructions.
- If dangerous symptoms such as excessive sleepiness and difficulty breathing occur , go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
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