Demerol (Meperidine) belongs to the class of medications known as narcotic analgesics (pain relievers). It is used to treat moderate-to-severe pain associated with many medical, surgical, obstetrical, and dental procedures. It works to decrease pain by acting on the brain to increase pain tolerance. Demerol (Meperidine) works very quickly and will usually begin to relieve pain within 15 minutes. Demerol (Meperidine) should not be used to treat Chronic Pain.

Demerol (Meperidine) may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Demerol (Meperidine) may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Demerol (Meperidine) may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Demerol (Meperidine) for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking Demerol (Meperidine), speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking Demerol (Meperidine) without consulting your doctor.

The usual adult dose of Demerol (Meperidine) is 50 mg to 150 mg taken every 3 to 4 hours, as prescribed by the doctor and as necessary for pain.

The dose for seniors should be reduced to reduce the potential for adverse effects.

Demerol (Meperidine) may be habit-forming if taken for extended periods of time. It should not be used for longer than 2 days. Do not take Demerol (Meperidine) in higher doses or for a longer period of time than prescribed by your doctor.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take Demerol (Meperidine) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you are taking Demerol (Meperidine) regularly, and you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Demerol (Meperidine). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Demerol (Meperidine) with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Demerol (Meperidine). Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• blurred or double-vision or other changes in vision
• Constipation
• dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling faint
• drowsiness
• Dry Mouth
• false sense of well-being
• headache
• mood changes
• nausea
• stomach cramps or pain
• sweating
• weakness
• vomiting

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• fast, slow, or pounding heartbeat
• feelings of disassociation from reality
• hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that aren't there)
• Hives, itching, or skin rash
• increased sweating
• irregular breathing
• redness or flushing of face
• shortness of breath, wheezing, or troubled breathing
• signs of urinary retention (e.g., decrease in amount of urine, difficulty urinating, frequent urge to urinate)
• swelling of face

Stop taking Demerol (Meperidine) and seek medical attention immediately if any of the following signs of overdose occur:

• signs of serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
• signs of shock (e.g., cold, damp skin; confusion; shakiness; nausea; weak, rapid pulse)
• signs of overdose
• cold, clammy skin
• confusion
• convulsions (seizures)
• dizziness (severe)
• drowsiness (severe)
• Low Blood Pressure
• nervousness or restlessness (severe)
• "pinpoint" pupils of eyes
• slow heartbeat
• slow or troubled breathing
• weakness (severe)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Demerol (Meperidine).

Each white tablet with stylized "W" on one side, scored on the other with "D" above and "35" below, contains 50 mg of Demerol (Meperidine) HCl. Nonmedicinal ingredients: calcium phosphate (dibasic, dihydrate), calcium sulfate, cornstarch, stearic acid, and talc. Demerol (Meperidine) does not contain gluten, lactose, sucrose, or tartrazine.

Do not take Demerol (Meperidine) if you:

• are allergic to Demerol (Meperidine) or any ingredients of the medication
• are experiencing acute Alcoholism or delirium tremens
• are experiencing acute Asthma or other obstructive airway disease
• are experiencing acute respiratory Depression
• have abnormal heart rhythms
• have a blockage of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly paralytic ileus
• have convulsive (seizure) disorders
• have cor pulmonale
• have head injury, brain tumour, or increased pressure inside the head or spinal cord
• have taken an MAO inhibitor within the past 14 days
• have severe depression of the central nervous system (i.e., sedation)
• have suspected abdominal conditions which may require surgery

There may be an interaction between Demerol (Meperidine) and any of the following:

• alcohol
• amphetamines (e.g., Dexamphetamine, lisdexamphetamine)
• anesthetics
• anticholinergic medications (e.g., Benztropine, hyoscyamine)
• antihistamines that cause drowsiness (e.g., Chlorpheniramine, Dimenhydrinate, Diphenhydramine, Hydroxyzine)
• antipsychotic medications (e.g., Chlorpromazine, Haloperidol, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• azelastine
• Baclofen
• barbiturates (e.g., Phenobarbital, thiopental)
• benzodiazepines (e.g., Alprazolam, Diazepam, Lorazepam)
• beta-blockers (e.g., Atenolol, Metoprolol, Propranolol)
• Buprenorphine
• Buspirone
• Butorphanol
• chloral hydrate
• Cimetidine
• Clonidine
• Cyclobenzaprine
• Darifenacin
• Desmopressin
• Dextromethorphan
• diuretics (water pills; e.g., Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide, triamterene)
• ergot alkaloids (e.g., Dihydroergotamine, ergotamine)
• Flavoxate
• ipratropium
• lithium
• MAO inhibitors (e.g., Tranylcypromine, Phenelzine) taken within the past 14 days
• Methadone
• methocarbamol
• Metoclopramide
• Naltrexone
• other narcotic analgesics (e.g., Codeine, Fentanyl, Morphine, oxymorphone)
• nefazodone
• orphenadrine
• paraldehyde
• Pentazocine
• Phenytoin
• Pramipexole
• protease inhibitors (e.g., indinavir, lopinavir, ritonavir, saquinivir)
• Rasagiline
• Ropinirole
• scopolamine
• seizure medications (e.g., Clobazam, Ethosuximide, felbamate, Levetiracetam, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, Topiramate, Valproic acid, zonisamide)
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine)
• Selegiline
• St. John's wort
• tiotropium
• Tizanidine
• tolcapone
• Tolterodine
• Tramadol
• Trazodone
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Amitriptyline, Imipramine)
• "triptan" migraine medications (e.g., Naratriptan, Sumatriptan)
• Tryptophan
• umeclidinium
• valerian
• Venlafaxine
• Zolpidem
• Zopiclone

If you are taking any medications that have a sedating effect, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.