meperidine (oral/injection)

What is the most important information I should know about meperidine?

What is meperidine?

Meperidine is an opioid medication used to treat moderate-to-severe pain.

Meperidine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using meperidine?

• severe asthma or breathing problems; or
• a blockage in your stomach or intestines.

Do not use meperidine 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.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a head injury, brain tumor, or seizures;
• breathing problems, sleep apnea;
• drug or alcohol addiction, or mental illness;
• a blockage in your stomach or intestines;
• urination problems;
• liver or kidney disease;
• problems with your gallbladder, adrenal gland, or thyroid;
• sickle cell anemia; or
• abnormal curvature of the spine that affects breathing.

How should I use meperidine?

Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides. Never use meperidine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if you feel an increased urge to take more of this medicine.

Meperidine oral is taken by mouth.

Meperidine injection is given as an infusion into a vein, or injected into a muscle or under the skin. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using meperidine.

Never crush or break a meperidine pill 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 prescription drugs.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since meperidine is used for pain, you are not likely to miss a dose. Skip any missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while using meperidine?

What are the possible side effects of meperidine?

Opioid medicine can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.

• slow heartbeats, weak or shallow breathing, breathing that stops during sleep;
• severe drowsiness, feeling like you might pass out;
• confusion, mood changes;
• severe constipation;
• tremors, muscle movements you cannot control, or a seizure (convulsions); or
• low cortisol levels --nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, worsening tiredness or weakness.

Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults and those who are malnourished or debilitated.

Long-term use of opioid medication may affect fertility (ability to have children) in men or women. It is not known whether opioid effects on fertility are permanent.

Common side effects may include:

• dizziness, drowsiness;
• headache;
• nausea, vomiting; or
• 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.

What other drugs will affect meperidine?

You may have breathing problems or withdrawal symptoms if you start or stop taking certain other medicines. Tell your doctor if you also use an antibiotic, antifungal medication, heart or blood pressure medication, seizure medication, or medicine to treat HIV or hepatitis C.

• other narcotic medications --opioid pain medicine or prescription cough medicine;
• a sedative like Valium --diazepam, alprazolam, lorazepam, Xanax, Klonopin, Versed, and others;
• drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing --a sleeping pill, muscle relaxer, medicine to treat mood disorders or mental illness; or
• drugs that affect serotonin levels in your body --a stimulant, or medicine for depression, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or nausea and vomiting.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect meperidine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about meperidine.