Demerol HCl Side Effects

Generic Name: meperidine

Please note - some side effects for Demerol HCl may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

Side Effects by Body System

Nervous system

Central nervous system side effects include sleepiness, respiratory depression, delirium, seizures, tremors, dizziness, visual disturbances, muscle twitches, dilated pupils, and Parkinsonian symptoms. A case of seizures has been reported in a patient with porphyria. A case of transient neurological symptoms has been reported after use of subarachnoid meperidine.

Central nervous system side effects may be either depressant or excitatory. Excitatory symptoms are sometimes ignored as possible side effects of meperidine, but may be due to the accumulation of a metabolite, normeperidine. Accumulation of normeperidine occurs more frequently in patients with renal insufficiency and in patients who are receiving meperidine via a patient-controlled analgesia pump.

Severe adverse effects, such as respiratory depression, may be treated with the opiate antagonist, naloxone.

Psychiatric

Psychiatric side effects include fearfulness, agitation, paranoia, hypervigilance, and auditory and visual hallucinations.

Psychological dependence on meperidine may develop.

Gastrointestinal

Meperidine may cause contraction of the sphincter of Oddi, thereby increasing intrabiliary pressure. As a result, meperidine may aggravate rather than relieve biliary colic.

Constipation is less common with meperidine than some other narcotics.

Gastrointestinal side effects including increased gastroesophageal reflux, increased biliary pressure, dry mouth, nausea, and vomiting have been reported.

Other

Other side effects including an opioid abstinence or withdrawal syndrome has been reported.

The opioid abstinence or withdrawal syndrome is characterized by some or all of the following: restlessness, lacrimation, rhinorrhea, yawning, perspiration, chills, myalgia, mydriasis. Other symptoms also may also develop, including: irritability, anxiety, backache, joint pain, weakness, abdominal cramps, insomnia, nausea, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, or increased blood pressure, respiratory rate, or heart rate.

Respiratory

There are case reports of bronchospasm occurring in patients with a history of asthma after receiving meperidine. Because of this effect and possible respiratory depression, meperidine should be used with caution in patients with severe reactive or obstructive pulmonary disease.

Respiratory side effects including bronchospasm have been reported in patients with underlying pulmonary disease.

Cardiovascular

Hypotension occurs most commonly in patients who are under anesthesia, who are dehydrated, and who are receiving other medications.

Cardiovascular side effects including phlebitis have been reported. Hypotension has been reported rarely.

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects including urinary retention have been reported.

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects including rash and sweating have been reported.

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects including a case of meperidine-induced muscular rigidity have been reported.

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. This drug information is a reference resource designed as supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill , knowledge, and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug of drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Drugs.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.