In US, Meperidine Is Approved By Food and Drug Administration for Treatment of Moderate-To-Severe Pain

 

Meperidine belongs to the class of opioid analgesics, which work by relieving the body from the actions of certain chemicals called opioids. Meperidine, also known as Demerol, is recommended for the quick relief of moderate to severe pain, which is delivered either as an intravenous, intramuscular, or oral injection. In the U.S., the drug has also been approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for the treatment of moderate-to-severe pain.

Besides its antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties, there are other reported medical uses for Meperidine. It is used for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, allergies, and fibromyalgia. Meperidine may also have significant interactions with any nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), including acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or trazodone. Meperidine, Meperidine, and other NSAIDs, may produce gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, constipation, and sweating. It may also interact with antacids, acid suppressants, and calcium channels blockers, and cause acute liver toxicity.

Meperidine and other NSAIDs interfere with neurotransmitter receptor sites in the brain and cause Parkinson's disease, a disorder characterized by progressive loss of muscle co-ordination and speech. These drugs also reduce serotonin levels in the brain; consequently, they can promote symptoms of depression, anxiety, irritability, restlessness, impulsivity, difficulty sleeping, slurred speech, blurred vision, tremor, and nausea. It has also been found that these NSAIDs produce a rebound effect in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) to treat depression. Some research indicates that Meperidine, Meperidine, and other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in individuals already at increased risk for suicide.

Meperidine increase the amount of dopamine in the synapses and result in a euphoric "high," but the drug's effect on serotonin levels is less clear. Some studies suggest that, after treating an individual with a powerful opiate, the addition of Meperidine increases the amount of serotonin in the brain and decreases the amount of norepinephrine, a substance that is associated with mood and anxiety. The increased amount of dopamine may contribute to hallucinations and euphoria observed during the onset of opiate use, according to research. However, the decrease of serotonin may contribute to a reduction in nonrestorative sleep and an increase in poor quality sleep, according to some research. Meperidine can be purchased over-the-counter without a prescription. In certain countries, however, doctors must be specially trained to prescribe Meperidine to treat severe pain and cannot prescribe it for non-life-threatening acute pain.