Chemical structure of pethidine.
Find information on thousands of medical conditions and prescription drugs.

Demerol

Pethidine (INN) or meperidine (USAN) (also referred to as: isonipecaine; lidol; operidine; pethanol; piridosal; Algil®; Alodan®; Centralgin®; Demerol®; Dispadol®; Dolantin®; Dolestine®; Dolosal®; Dolsin®; Mefedina®) is a fast-acting opioid analgesic drug. In the United States, it is more commonly known as meperidine or by its brand name Demerol. more...

Home
Diseases
Medicines
A
B
C
D
Dacarbazine
Dactinomycin
Dalmane
Danazol
Dantrolene
Dapoxetine
Dapsone
Daptomycin
Daraprim
Darvocet
Darvon
Daunorubicin
Daunorubicin
Daypro
DDAVP
Deca-Durabolin
Deferoxamine
Delsym
Demeclocycline
Demeclocycline
Demerol
Demulen
Denatonium
Depakene
Depakote
Depo-Provera
Desferal
Desflurane
Desipramine
Desmopressin
Desogen
Desogestrel
Desonide
Desoxyn
Desyrel
Detrol
Dexacort
Dexamethasone
Dexamfetamine
Dexedrine
Dexpanthenol
Dextran
Dextromethorphan
Dextromoramide
Dextropropoxyphene
Dextrorphan
Diabeta
Diacerein
Diacetolol
Dial
Diamox
Diazepam
Diazoxide
Dibenzepin
Diclofenac
Diclohexal
Didanosine
Dieldrin
Diethylcarbamazine
Diethylstilbestrol
Diethyltoluamide
Differin
Diflucan
Diflunisal
Digitoxin
Digoxin
Dihydrocodeine
Dihydroergotamine
Dihydrotachysterol
Dilantin
Dilaudid
Diltahexal
Diltiazem
Dimenhydrinate
Dimercaprol
Dimetapp
Dimethyl sulfoxide
Dimethyltryptamine
Dimetridazole
Diminazene
Diovan
Dioxybenzone
Diphenhydramine
Diphenoxylate
Dipipanone
Dipivefrine
Diprivan
Diprolene
Diproteverine
Dipyridamole
Disulfiram
Disulfiram
Dizocilpine
Dobutamine
Docetaxel
Docusate sodium
Dofetilide
Dolasetron
Dolobid
Dolophine
Domperidone
Donepezil
Dopamine
Dopram
Doral
Doramectin
Doriden
Dornase alfa
Doryx
Dostinex
Doxapram
Doxazosin
Doxepin
Doxil
Doxil
Doxorubicin
Doxy
Doxycycline
Doxyhexal
Doxylamine
Drisdol
Drixoral
Dronabinol
Droperidol
Drospirenone
Duloxetine
Durabolin
Duragesic
Duraphyl
Duraquin
Dutasteride
Dv
Dyclonine
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

Pethidine is used to deal with moderate to severe pain, and is delivered as hydrochloride tablets, as a syrup, or by intramuscular or intravenous injection. Because pethidine has the potential to be both physically and psychologically habituating, it is important that it be used in only the doses prescribed, and that withdrawal from the drug be supervised by a physician to ensure there are no adverse reactions.

Mode of action

Pethidine has effects similar to morphine, but has very little effect on cough or diarrhea. Pethidine is more lipid-soluble than morphine resulting in a faster onset of action. It duration of clinical effect is 120-150 minutes. In addition, it has a slight antimuscarinic effect.

Pharmacokinetics

Pethidine is quickly hydrolysed in the liver to pethidinic acid and is also demethylated to norpethidine, which has half the activity of pethidine but a longer elimination half-life; accumulating in renal failure. Norpethidine is toxic and has convulsant and hallucinogenic effects. The toxic effects mediated by the metabolites cannot be countered with opioid receptor antagonists such as naloxone or naltrexone. The neurotoxicity of pethidine's metabolites is a unique feature of pethidine compared to other opioids. Pethidine's metabolites are further conjugated with glucuronic acid and excreted into the urine.

Interactions

Pethidine interacts with a number of other medications, including muscle relaxants, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and alcohol. It is especially dangerous to use if the patient is using monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) type antidepressants. Such patients may suffer agitation, delerium, headache, convulsions, hyperthermia. It is thought to be caused by an increase in cerebral serotonin concentrations.

Pethidine is also relatively contraindicated for use when a patient is suffering from gallbladder, liver, or kidney disease, has a history of seizures or epilepsy, has an enlarged prostate or urinary retention problems, or suffers from hyperthyroidism, asthma, or Addison's disease.

Adverse effects

Users of pethidine may experience serious adverse effects. These include asthma, swelling of the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, swelling of the lips, tongue, or face, seizures, cold and clammy skin, or dizziness and possible unconsciousness. The presence of any of these side effects is an indicator to stop using pethidine immediately and seek immediate medical attention.

Less serious side effects include constipation, dry mouth, lightheadedness, itchiness, muscular twitches, and nausea.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


[List your site here Free!]


Discipline Decisions
From Alberta RN, 4/1/05

AARN Member: Y.B.

Registration number: 49,371

The Professional Conduct Committee made a finding of unskilled practice and professional misconduct against a member, Y.B., registration number 49,371, who administered Demerol to a patient without a physician's order, when the patient was also on PCA Demerol; failed to properly write a verbal order; and failed to chart the rationale or effect of 15 doses of prn narcotics administered to seven different patients, all of whom were also on PCA narcotics, or on self-administered analgesics. The Professional Conduct Committee noted that this was the second time the member has been before the Committee for similar issues. The Professional Conduct Committee ordered the member to undergo PBDS testing at her own expense and provide the report to the Committee by a deadline. At that time, the Committee may make orders for further education if recommended by the PBDS assessment. The member must undergo 460 hours of supervised practice to address all aspects of medication administration and any other issues identified in the PBDS testing. From December 16,2004, the member is limited to working in the supervised practice setting until she has provided a satisfactory performance evaluation to the Committee. Failure to comply with the Order will result in automatic suspension of AARN registration.

NOTE: PBDS stands for Performance Based Development Services

Copyright Alberta Association of Registered Nurses Apr 2005
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved

Return to Demerol
Home Contact Resources Exchange Links ebay