Demerol, or meperidine hydrochloride, was originally approved in 1942 and belongs to a class of prescription drugs known as narcotic analgesics that are used to relieve moderate to severe pain. This drug also may be given as a pre-operative medication for its sedative effects before receiving anesthesia. Demerol works by dampening the central nervous system response, which results in a reduced pain experience. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), common reactions to Demerol tend to occur in those who are not in severe pain and who are ambulatory.
Common Effects
When you begin taking Demerol, you may experience some lightheadedness, dizziness or headaches and feel drowsy. Other frequently reported side effects may consist of sweating with flushing of the face, and not urinating as much as in the past (Demerol tends to make people retain fluid). You also may notice having a dry mouth, a drop in appetite and experience some stomach cramping. Additionally, it is common to feel sick to the stomach or experience nausea and vomiting along with constipation. Some individuals report occasional muscle spasms with twitching or slight tremors. Such effects are not considered serious and likely will dissipate with time.
Respiratory and Cardiac Effects
Narcotic painkillers such as Demerol run the risk of depressing the respiratory system to where breathing is slow and shallow. If one takes too high of a dosage of Demerol, it may severely reduce the ability to breathe and respiratory arrest can even occur. Similarly, this medication can have the same depressive effect on the circulatory system; that is, the heart rate can decrease (bradycardia) as the heart pumps slower, which can result in hypotension (low blood pressure).
Other cardiac reactions one may experience are palpitations (abnormal heartbeats) as well as tachycardia or an increased heart rate. If one does overdose and take too much Demerol, be alert to the following signs: labored or shallow breathing with a slow pulse, difficulty in arousing or in a coma, his color becomes cyanotic (turning blue), and the skin feels cold or clammy to the touch. This is an emergency situation, so either call an ambulance or transport immediately to an emergency room.
Addictive Properties
Demerol is a narcotic, which can be habit-forming and lead to dependency. Therefore, it is important to provide a complete medical history to the physician as to any previous history of alcoholism or other chemical addiction. The doctor can then monitor Demerol treatment more closely to ensure the patient's well being.
