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Meperidine/Demerol



- Adult: 50-150mg PO/IM/SQ q3-4hr prn Pain; (75mg IM Demerol =10mg Morphine) 1-2 mg/kg/dose PO/IM/IV (including Peds q 6 hr)
- PO: peak effect at 2 hrs;
- IM/IV: onset at 2-5 min; Peak at 1 hr; lasts 2-3 hrs.
- IV administration must be slow in diluted solution;
- Peds: 1 mg/kg/dose IV/IM q2-4hr;    1.0-1.5 mg/kg/dose PO/IM/ or SQ q3-4 hr prn;
- Not for chronic use;
- Cautions:
     - concomitant administration of phenothiazines or other tranquilizers will potentiate the action of meperidine;
           - (e.g. Hydroxyzine 25-100 mg IM q 4-6hr for Nausea and potentiation);
     - beware of respiratory depression;

- Contraindications:
     - concomitant use of MAOI may lead to seizures;   (Phenelzine (Nardil)/Tranylcypromine (Parnate)/Isocarboxazid (Marplan));
     - use in patients w/ renal failure, may lead to seizures;
     - avoid its use in patients w/ head injuries, or increased intracranial pressure



The effect of continuous epidural analgesia on postoperative pain, rehabilitation, and duration of hospitalization in total knee arthroplasty.

Meperidine-induced seizure after revision hip arthroplasty.

 Legal issues with Demerol: