Meperitab Side Effects

Generic name: meperidine

Note: This document contains side effect information about meperidine. Some of the dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Meperitab.

Some side effects of Meperitab may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

For the Consumer

Applies to meperidine: oral syrup, oral tablet

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking meperidine (the active ingredient contained in Meperitab) hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• weak or shallow breathing, slow heartbeat;

• severe drowsiness, feeling like you might pass out;

• seizure (convulsions);

• cold, clammy skin;

• muscle movements you cannot control;

• confusion, mood changes;

• severe weakness or dizziness; or

• agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting;

Less serious side effects of meperidine may include:

• constipation;

• loss of appetite;

• headache, dizziness, mild weakness;

• dry mouth;

• sweating;

• itching;

• urinating less than usual; or

• loss of interest in sex.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to meperidine: compounding powder, injectable solution, intravenous solution, oral syrup, oral tablet

Nervous system

Central nervous system side effects have included sleepiness, lightheadedness, sedation, sweating, agitation, tremor, mood changes (e.g., euphoria, dysphoria), weakness, headache, disorientation, respiratory depression, delirium, seizures, tremors, dizziness, visual disturbances (e.g., transient hallucinations), muscle twitches, dilated pupils, and Parkinsonian symptoms.

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 opioid 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 (the active ingredient contained in Meperitab) 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.

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity side effects including anaphylaxis and shock 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 (the active ingredient contained in Meperitab) 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, pruritus, and sweating have been reported.

Musculoskeletal

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

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