Demerol

Feb 16, 2005 Viewed: 914

Alternative names 
Meperidine hydrochloride overdose; Mepergan Forte

Definition
Poisoning from an overdose of meperidine.

Poisonous Ingredient

     
  • meperidine

Where Found

     
  • Demerol  
  • Mepergan Forte

Symptoms

     
  • body as a whole       o muscle spasticity       o convulsions  
  • respiratory       o difficulty breathing           + slow and labored           + shallow           + no breathing       o  
  • eyes, ears, nose, and throat       o pinpoint pupils  
  • skin       o bluish fingernails and lips  
  • gastrointestinal       o spasms of the stomach and/or intestinal tract       o nausea       o vomiting       o constipation  
  • heart and blood vessels       o weak pulse       o low blood pressure  
  • nervous system       o drowsiness       o coma       o dizziness

Home Treatment
DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING.

Before Calling Emergency
Determine the following:

     
  • the patient’s age, weight, and condition  
  • the name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)  
  • the time it was swallowed  
  • the amount swallowed  
  • it the medication was prescribed for the patient

Poison Control, or a local emergency number
They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room
Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

     
  • Use gastric lavage.  
  • Administer activated charcoal.  
  • Administer a laxative.  
  • Give a counteracting medication (narcotic antagonist). Multiple doses may be needed.  
  • Administer Intravenous fluids as needed.  
  • Monitor breathing.  
  • Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis)
If an antidote can be given, recovery from an acute overdose occurs within 24 to 48 hours.

Johns Hopkins patient information

Last revised: December 5, 2012
by David A. Scott, M.D.

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All ArmMed Media material is provided for information only and is neither advice nor a substitute for proper medical care. Consult a qualified healthcare professional who understands your particular history for individual concerns.