MEPERIDINE
Meperidine
is a short-acting synthetic opioid. It is possible but not
advisable to use it as an alternative to morphine for
moderate pain.
It has three disadvantages:
-
Erratic
oral absorption
-
It is
short-acting (1 to 3 hours only)
-
It cannot
be used above 300mg because of a toxic metabolite which
causes tremor, twitching, agitation and seizures.
|
When converting to morphine, the oral equivalents are: |
|
2-3 hourly meperidine |
4-hourly morphine |
|
100mg |
10mg |
|
200mg |
20mg |
|
300mg |
30mg |
Meperidine
is stronger by injection. 100mg IM meperidine is equivalent to
15mg IM morphine. Meperidine is too irritant for use in
continuous subcutaneous infusions.
The author and publisher have taken
precautions to ensure that the information in this book is
error-free. However, readers must be guided by their own
personal and professional standards of good practice in
evaluating and applying recommendations made herein. The
contents of this book represent the views and experience of
the author, and not necessarily those of the publisher.
