Demerol- Quick Info

Demerol comes under category of narcotic pain relievers. It is used to treat pain.  Demerol is more or less like morphine and widely used before or during the surgery for reducing the pain during delivery labor.

This is a prescription medicine and you should not use this medicine without notifying your doctor. Demerol can also be used for other health issues which have not been mentioned in this medication guide. Ask your health care provider for more information.

Is Demerol FDA Approved?

Demerol has got the approval by United State Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. This medicine can be used for other health issues but FDA has approved this medicine for pain management. Ask your doctor for further details.

Purpose of Using Demerol

Demerol is a prescription pain reliever (analgesic) and approved and prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. This medicine is also available in injection form approved for additional uses such as-

• Pain relief during childbirth and labor
• Anesthesia
• Preoperative sedation

This narcotic pain reliever is similar to morphine and is only prescribed by doctors. Demerol is found in injection form as well and can be used in -

• Treatment and prevention of rigorous shivering caused by blood transfusions and certain drugs
• Treatment for shivering after certain surgeries
• Short-term treatment of people who have been suffering from pain with certain health condition.

Since Demerol has a long list of drug interaction with potential medications and drugs. Therefore, Demerol prescription for pain and other health issues is going down as Demerol interaction with potential drugs can lead to serious health consequences.

Demerol may be prescribed for hospitalized patients for treatment of anesthesia. It is strictly advised that one should not take Demerol along with other non-prescribed drugs as this could lead to serious side effects of meperidine.

Recommended Dosage of Demerol

Take Demerol as exactly as it is prescribed by your doctor or health care provider. This medication is only prescribed by doctors and pharmacists except from them no one can give prescription of this medicine.  Follow every direction or instruction given by your doctor regarding the dosages of Demerol.

Take Demerol with a glass of water or you can take Demerol with food or milk only if it does not make your stomach upset. Do not start using Demerol suddenly as it could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your healthcare provider to avoid the withdrawal symptoms.

Demerol is a habit forming drug and you should be aware about this and take action if anyone in your household is taking the medicine without doctor’s prescription.

Do not try to take Demerol in small or larger amounts or longer than recommended dosages as it could lead to severe side effects of this medication.

Safety Measure for Demerol

Do not take Demerol if you have been using any short of MOA inhibitor as it could have serious and life-threatening side effects and prove fatal.

Demerol is a habit forming drug, for this reason one should only take this medicine when it is prescribed for specific treatment. Demerol should never be recommended to any person with history of depression or particularly drug abuse or addiction.

Tell your doctor if you have any of the below mentioned health condition as it is a mandatory thing to be safe-

• gallbladder disease
• underactive thyroid
• history of head injury, brain tumor
• curvature of the spine
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder
• kidney or liver disease
• sleep apnea, COPD, asthma, other breathing disorders
• low blood pressure
• urination problems, enlarged prostate
• mental illness
• Addison’s disease or other adrenal gland disorders
• a history of drug or alcohol addiction

Before taking Demerol inform your doctor if you are expecting or planning to become pregnant during the treatment. Although there is no evidence that Demerol can harm unborn babies however it is an important step to take to make sure risk free pregnancy and treatment.

What If I Miss Demerol?

There is no specific dose schedule of Demerol as you can take this medicine when you need. However if you are using Demerol on regular basis, take missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the dose if it is the time for next dose, and start following dose schedule as it has been prescribed for you by your doctor. Do not try to double your dose to make up for the missed one as it could have negative effects on your body and health conditions.

What If I Overdose Demerol?

It you think that you have taken large doses of Demerol then seek immediate medical help and attention to make sure that you are not in the middle of overdose side effects.

Overdose symptoms may include cold and clammy skin, slow or uneven heartbeats, shallow breathing, muscle weakness, drowsiness, pinpoint pupils, confusion etc.

This is not the complete list of overdose symptoms; ask your healthcare provider for further details.

Demerol’s Risk Increase with Certain Drugs

Do not take Demerol along with muscle relaxants, tranquilizers, sedatives, other narcotic pain medications or medicines which can lead to breathing problems and make you sleepy.

Inform your doctor if you have been taking any of these medicines such as

• buprenorphine (Subutex, Buprenex)
• pentazocine (talwin)
• butorphanol (stadol)
• nalbuphine (nubain)

If are using any of these drugs then you cannot use Demerol or you need to pass some required medical tests for the prescription of this medication.

This is not a complete list of drug interaction with Demerol. You must tell your doctor about all over the counter medicines that you use this includes herbal products, mineral & vitamin supplements or other prescribed and non-prescribed drugs by other physicians. Do not take Demerol without recommendation from a doctor.

Possible Complication of Demerol

Demerol- side effects

• confusion,  seizure (convulsions)
• severe weakness or dizziness
• hypotension
• Muscle flaccidity
• slow heartbeat, shallow breathing
• fainting, feeling light-headed
• cold, clammy skin
• dry mouth
• sweating
• urinating less than usual
• constipation
• loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea
• headache, dizziness
• itching
• loss of interest in sex

It you notice or experience any of these side effects during treatment, seek immediate medical help or attention to treat the side effects of Demerol.

This is not a complete list of side effects that have been mentioned in this medical guide. Ask your doctor for more information.

Where to Buy Demerol?

Demerol is only available at government and FDA approved drug stores. However this is not the only option, you can get this effective medicine as there are plenty of FDA approved online stores which sell this medicine with prescription details.