What is Meperidine? Uses, warnings & side effects

Drop off any unused narcotic medicine at a drug take-back location right away. If you do not have a drug take-back location near you, flush any unused narcotic medicine down the toilet. Check your local drug store and clinics for take-back locations. You can also check the DEA web site for locations. Here is the link to the FDA safe disposal of medicines website: www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou/consumers/buyingusingmedicinesafely/ensuringsafeuseofmedicine/safedisposalofmedicines/ucm186187.htm

Injection routeIf you store this medicine at home, keep it at room temperature, away from heat and direct light.

Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin, into a muscle, or into a vein.

Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

Injection routeYou may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

Injection routeYou will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas.

Injection routeUse a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.

Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Injection routeThrow away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

Injection routeYou will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas.

Drop off any unused narcotic medicine at a drug take-back location right away. If you do not have a drug take-back location near you, flush any unused narcotic medicine down the toilet. Check your local drug store and clinics for take-back locations. You can also check the DEA web site for locations. Here is the link to the FDA safe disposal of medicines website: www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou/consumers/buyingusingmedicinesafely/ensuringsafeuseofmedicine/safedisposalofmedicines/ucm186187.htm

Injection routeUse a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.

Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Injection routeIf you store this medicine at home, keep it at room temperature, away from heat and direct light.

Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin, into a muscle, or into a vein.

Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

Injection routeThrow away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

Injection routeYou may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose.

Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and never share your medicine with anyone.

This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to meperidine, or if you have severe breathing problems or stomach blockage (including paralytic ileus).

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, asthma or other lung problems (including sleep apnea), gallbladder problems, heart rhythm problems, low blood pressure, pancreas problems, stomach or digestive problems, thyroid problems, Addison's disease, pheochromocytoma, prostate problems, trouble urinating, or have had a recent head injury. Tell your doctor if you have a history of depression, mental health problems, seizures, or have been addicted to drugs or alcohol.

This medicine may cause the following problems:High risk of overdose, which can lead to deathRespiratory depression (serious breathing problem that can be life-threatening)Sleep-related breathing problems (including sleep apnea, sleep-related hypoxemia)Serotonin syndrome (when used with certain medicines)

This medicine can be habit-forming. Do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working.

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

This medicine may cause constipation, especially with long-term use. Ask your doctor if you should use a laxative to prevent and treat constipation.

This medicine could cause infertility. Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Do not use this medicine if you are using or have used an MAO inhibitor within the past 2 weeks.

Some medicines can affect how meperidine works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:Acyclovir, carbamazepine, cimetidine, cyclobenzaprine, erythromycin, ketoconazole, metaxalone, mirtazapine, phenytoin, rifampin, ritonavir, tramadol, trazodoneBenzodiazepine medicineDiuretic (water pill)Medicine to treat anxiety, depression, or mental health problemsPhenothiazine medicineTriptan medicine to treat migraine headaches

Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol. Tell your doctor if you are using buprenorphine, butorphanol, nalbuphine, pentazocine, or a muscle relaxer.

Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.