Pethidine
Description
Pethidine is an opioid analgesic used in the treatment of moderate to severe pain including postoperative pain and the pain of labor. It should only be used under the supervision of a qualified physician. Close monitoring of the patients is necessary while receiving this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Pethidine
- Drug dependence
- Hallucinations
- Dizziness and Drowsiness
- Headache
- Decreased heart rate
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Itching and skin rash
- Muscle rigidity
- Difficulty in urination
- Decreased libido
Uses of Pethidine
What is it prescribed for?
- Moderate to severe pain
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of this medicine can be observed within 15 minutes of an oral administration and 10-15 minutes followed by a parenteral administration of the dose.
- Duration of effectThe effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 2 to 4 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with this medicine due to the increased risk of side effects such as dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you consume alcohol during treatment with this medicine.
- Is it habit forming?Habit forming tendencies have been reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to Pethidine or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Respiratory depression
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with respiratory depression due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Acute or severe bronchial asthma
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with acute or severe bronchial asthma in absence of resuscitative equipment or monitoring due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Coma
This medicine is not recommended for use in comatose patients due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO)
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) due to the increased risk of serious and life-threatening side effects. A time gap of at least 14 days should be maintained between stopping therapy with MAOIs and starting therapy with this medicine.
Paralytic ileus
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with gastrointestinal obstruction, including paralytic ileus due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Diabetic ketoacidosis
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis who are at risk of coma due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Acute alcoholism
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with acute alcoholism due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
General warnings
Administer with caution
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in neonates and premature infants, elderly or debilitated patients, hypotension, decreased respiratory reserve, biliary tract disorders, hypothyroidism, adrenal cortical insufficiency, shock, prostatic hypertrophy, and supraventricular tachycardia due to the increased risk of serious adverse effects. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Drug dependence and tolerance
This medicine has the potential to cause drug dependence and abuse. This risk is especially higher if the medicine is used for a prolonged period of time. Patients should be monitored closely for any change in mood and behavior during treatment with this medicine. Abrupt discontinuation is not recommended since it may cause withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal of therapy should be done gradually with close monitoring of the patient. Tolerance towards narcotic analgesics is also common. If there is no relief in pain then alternate treatment options should be considered.
Intracranial pressure
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with head injury or intracranial lesions since it may elevate the intracranial pressure and worsen the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Biliary spasm
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with biliary or gallbladder diseases due to the increased risk of biliary spasm and worsening of the patient's condition. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Driving and Operating machinery
Use of this medicine may cause blurred vision, difficulty in concentrating, or dizziness in some patients. It is advised that you do not perform any activities such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you experience any of these symptoms during treatment with this medicine.
Missed Dose
Oral: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
Injections: Since this medicine is usually administered by a qualified healthcare professional before and during a surgical procedure in the clinical/hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.
Overdose
Oral: Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
Injections: Since this medicine is administered in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very less. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with this medicine due to the increased risk of side effects such as dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you consume alcohol during treatment with this medicine.
Interaction with Medicine
Tramadol
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Alprazolam
Citalopram
Fluvoxamine
Granisetron
Disease interactions
Impaired gastrointestinal function
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with impaired gastrointestinal motility since it may worsen the condition. Close monitoring, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required.
Liver Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with impaired liver function since it may worsen the condition. Regular monitoring of the liver function tests is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Kidney Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with impaired kidney function since it may worsen the condition. Regular monitoring of the kidney function tests is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Hypotension
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of hypotension due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Regular monitoring of the blood pressure is recommended while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Intracranial pressure
This medicine should not be used in patients with suspected or known head injury or increased intracranial pressure due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor on priority. An alternative treatment option should be considered in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Respiratory Depression
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with breathing disorders/diseases like COPD, asthma due to increased risk of breathing complications. An alternative treatment option should be considered based on the clinical condition.
Hypothyroidism
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with hypothyroidism due to the increased risk of respiratory depression and prolonged CNS depression. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor on priority. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Seizure disorders
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with seizure disorders due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor on priority. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Urinary tract obstruction
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with urinary retention, prostatic hypertrophy or urethral stricture and in elderly patients due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor on priority. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Arrhythmias
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with irregular heart rhythm due to the increased risk of bradycardia and worsening of the patient's condition. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor on priority. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Oral: Follow all the instructions given by your doctor and take this medicine exactly as advised. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts than prescribed. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of any severe side effects. Ensure that the course of treatment is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Injection: This medicine is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Inform the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine. Report all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions to the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine works by acting upon the parts of the brain responsible for the control of pain.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Narcotic analgesics
Schedule
Schedule X
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[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 31 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 31 December 2018]. Available from:
Meperidine - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 31 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Ebs.tga.gov.au. 2018 [cited 31 December 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 5 Feb 2019
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