Understanding Anesthesiology - The Global Regional Anesthesia ...

Meperidine
Class
Opioid analgesic (long acting). Traditionally used for postoperative pain but currently its use is
restricted (in many hospitals) to the treatment of postoperative shivering.
Mechanism of Action
Acts at the mu and kappa opioid receptors.
Dose
In adults: 25-75 mg IV/IM (0.5-2 mg/kg)
Onset
IV: 3-8 minutes
IM: 10-20 minutes
Duration
2-4 hours IV/IM
Elimination
Hepatic
Effects
CNS
Causes dose-related sedation; variable analgesic effect. Delirium in older patients is often
seen. May cause seizures if used in large doses or over an extended time frame due to the accumulation
of its excitatory metabolite, normeperidine. May cause euphoria and dysphoria. All
of the depressant effects of meperidine are potentiated by concurrent use of sedatives, volatile
anesthetics, nitrous oxide and tricyclic antidepressants.
Respiratory
Respiratory depression which at the extreme leads to apnea. May promote bronchospasm in
susceptible patients (those with asthma or COPD).
GI
Nausea, vomiting, biliary tract spasm, constipation.
Misc.
Effective in the treatment of postoperative shivering. May cause muscle rigidity, urticaria,
pruritis.
Contraindications:
Meperidine must not be used in patients on monoamine oxidase inhibitors in whom it can
cause a fatal reaction.
Related Glossary Terms
Naloxone, Opioids
Index
Find Term
Chapter 3 - General Anesthesia
Chapter 4 - Recovery
Chapter 6 - Drug Finder
Chapter 6 - Opioid agonists and antagonists