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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking meperidine (Demerol HCl)?

You should not use meperidine if you are allergic to it.

Do not use meperidine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.

To make sure you can safely take meperidine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

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

Meperidine may be habit forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Never share meperidine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether meperidine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using meperidine.

Meperidine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using meperidine.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this medication.

How should I take meperidine (Demerol HCl)?

Take exactly as prescribed. Never take meperidine in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor, or you could have serious or life-threatening side effects. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.

Take this medicine with a full glass of water.

Take meperidine with food or milk if it causes stomach upset.

Measure liquid medicine with a special dose measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Do not stop using meperidine suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using meperidine.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Meperidine is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.

After you have stopped using this medication, flush any unused pills down the toilet.

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