Demerol: Solution for injection

What is this medicine?

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

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They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-brain tumor
-drug abuse or addiction
-head injury
-heart disease
-kidney disease
-liver disease
-lung disease or breathing difficulties, including asthma
-seizures
-use within 14 days of a MAOI like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
-an unusual or allergic reaction to meperidine or other opiate drugs, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

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This medicine is for injection into a muscle, under the skin, or into a vein. It is usually given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

If you get this medicine at home, you will be taught how to prepare and give this medicine. Use exactly as directed. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

It is important that you put your used needles and syringes in a special sharps container. Do not put them in a trash can. If you do not have a sharps container, call your pharmacist or healthcare provider to get one.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What if I miss a dose?

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If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medicine?

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Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

-MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
-procarbazine
-ritonavir

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

-acyclovir
-alcohol
-antihistamines for allergy, cough and cold
-certain medicines for anxiety or sleep
-certain medicines for depression like amitriptyline, fluoxetine, sertraline
-certain medicines for seizures like phenobarbital, primidone
-cimetidine
-furazolidone
-general anesthetics like halothane, isoflurane, methoxyflurane, propofol
-linezolid
-local anesthetics like lidocaine, pramoxine, tetracaine
-medicines that relax muscles for surgery
-other narcotic medicines for pain or cough
-phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
-valacyclovir

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

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Tell your doctor or health care professional if your pain does not go away, if it gets worse, or if you have new or a different type of pain. You may develop tolerance to the medicine. Tolerance means that you will need a higher dose of the medicine for pain relief. Tolerance is normal and is expected if you take the medicine for a long time.

Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice. Do not suddenly stop taking your medicine because you may develop a severe reaction. Your body becomes used to the medicine. This does NOT mean you are addicted. Addiction is a behavior related to getting and using a drug for a non-medical reason. If you have pain, you have a medical reason to take pain medicine. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take. If your doctor wants you to stop the medicine, the dose will be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects.

There are different types of narcotic medicines (opiates). If you take more than one type at the same time or if you are taking another medicine that also causes drowsiness, you may have more side effects. Give your health care provider a list of all medicines you use. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take. Do not take more medicine than directed. Call emergency for help if you have problems breathing or unusual sleepiness.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

The medicine will cause constipation. Try to have a bowel movement at least every 2 to 3 days. If you do not have a bowel movement for 3 days, call your doctor or health care professional.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

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Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

-allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
-breathing problems
-confusion
-seizures
-signs and symptoms of low blood pressure like dizziness; feeling faint or lightheaded, falls; unusually weak or tired
-trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

-constipation
-dry mouth
-nausea, vomiting
-tiredness