Mechanism of action of Meperidine
Acts as agonist at specific opioid receptors in the CNS to produce analgesia, euphoria, sedation; the receptors mediating these effects are thought to be the same as those mediating the effects of endogenous opioids (enkephalins, endorphins).
Indications of Meperidine
- Relief of moderate to severe pain (oral, parenteral)
- Preoperative medication, support of anesthesia, and obstetric analgesia
(parenteral)
Contraindications of Meperidine
- Presence of hypersensitivity to narcotics,
- Diarea caused by poisoning (before toxins are eliminated)
- Bronchial asthma, COPD, cor pulmonale, respiratory depression, anoxia
- Kyphoscoliosis
- Acute alcoholism
- Increased intracranial pressure
- Pregnancy
Use caution in the presence of acute abdominal conditions, cardiovascular disease, supraventricular tachycardias, myxedema, convulsive disorders, delirium tremens, cerebral arteriosclerosis, ulcerative colitis, fever, Addison's disease, prostatic hypertrophy, urethral stricture, recent GI or GU surgery, toxic psychosis, labor or delivery (administration of narcotics, including meperidine, to the mother can cause respiratory depression of neonate; premature infants are especially at risk), renal or hepatic dysfunction.