Demerol (meperidine) is an opioid pain medication. An opioid is sometimes called a narcotic.
Demerol is used to treat moderate-to-severe pain.
Demerol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
You should not use Demerol if you have severe asthma or breathing problems.
Demerol can slow or stop your breathing, especially when you start using this medicine or whenever your dose is changed. Never take this medicine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.
Demerol may be habit-forming, even at regular doses. Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Never share the medicine with another person. MISUSE OF NARCOTIC PAIN MEDICATION CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription.
Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death can occur when alcohol is combined with meperidine.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Demerol if you are allergic to meperidine, or if you have severe asthma or breathing problems.
Do not use Demerol if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.
To make sure Demerol is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
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any type of breathing problem or lung disease;
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a blockage in your stomach or intestines;
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a history of head injury, brain tumor, or seizures;
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a history of drug abuse, alcohol addiction, or mental illness;
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urination problems;
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liver or kidney disease;
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problems with your gallbladder, adrenal gland, or thyroid;
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sickle cell anemia; or
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curvature of the spine that affects breathing.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Demerol will harm an unborn baby. This medicine may cause breathing problems in your newborn if you use the medication during late pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.
See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)
Meperidine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using Demerol.
How should I take Demerol?
Take Demerol exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Meperidine can slow or stop your breathing, especially when you start using this medicine or whenever your dose is changed. Never take Demerol in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.
Demerol may be habit-forming, even at regular doses. Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction.MISUSE OF NARCOTIC PAIN MEDICATION CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Selling or giving away Demerol is against the law.
Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Do not stop using Demerol suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using this medicine.
Never crush or break a tablet to inhale the powder or mix it into a liquid to inject the drug into your vein. This practice has resulted in death with the misuse of meperidine and similar prescription drugs.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Demerol is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.
Do not keep leftover Demerol tablets or liquid. Ask your pharmacist where to locate a drug take-back disposal program. If there is no take-back program, flush any unused tablets or liquid down the toilet. Disposal of medicines by flushing is recommended to reduce the danger of accidental overdose causing death. This advice applies to a very small number of medicines only. The FDA, working with the manufacturer, has determined this method to be the most appropriate route of disposal and presents the least risk to human safety.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since Demerol is used for pain, you are not likely to miss a dose. Skip any missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. A meperidine overdose can be fatal, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Overdose symptoms may include slow breathing and heart rate, severe drowsiness, muscle weakness, cold and clammy skin, pinpoint pupils, and fainting.
What should I avoid?
Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death can occur when alcohol is combined with Demerol. Check your food and medicine labels to be sure these products do not contain alcohol.
This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine will affect you. Dizziness or severe drowsiness can cause falls or other accidents.
Demerol side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Demerol: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using Demerol and call your doctor at once if you have:
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weak or shallow breathing, slow heartbeat;
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severe drowsiness, feeling like you might pass out;
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confusion, mood changes, agitation, hallucinations;
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seizure (convulsions); or
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tremors, muscle movements you cannot control.
Meperidine is more likely to cause breathing problems in older adults and people who are severely ill, malnourished, or otherwise debilitated.
Common Demerol side effects may include:
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dizziness, drowsiness;
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headache;
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nausea, vomiting; or
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sweating.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Demerol?
Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous or life-threatening side effects. Ask your doctor before taking Demerol with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.
Other drugs may interact with meperidine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.
