What is meperidine used for?
Meperidine (also known as pethidine) is an opioid pain medicine used to treat moderate to severe pain when an opioid is appropriate. Its uses are largely short-term because of safety concerns, especially with repeat dosing. [1][2]
How is meperidine used in medical settings?
Meperidine is typically used:
- For acute pain (for example, in emergency care or the immediate post-operative period) [1]
- In certain procedural pain situations where an opioid is needed and monitored closely [2]
Why is meperidine less common now?
Many clinicians avoid meperidine for routine pain because it can produce harmful metabolite accumulation (especially in people with reduced kidney function). That risk makes it less preferred than many other opioids for longer or repeated use. [1][2]
What are the main cautions around meperidine?
The biggest concerns include:
- Sedation and respiratory depression (risk increases with higher doses or with other sedating drugs) [2]
- Seizures and delirium related to toxic metabolite buildup (more likely with prolonged use, high doses, or kidney impairment) [1][2]
Who should be extra careful or avoid it?
Extra caution is needed in people with:
- Kidney disease (reduced clearance increases metabolite buildup) [1]
- Conditions or medications that increase CNS/respiratory depression risk (for example, alcohol or other sedatives) [2]
What alternatives are commonly used instead?
In many settings, clinicians prefer other opioids or pain-control approaches that avoid meperidine’s specific metabolite risk, especially for non-emergency or ongoing pain. [1][2]
Sources
- Meperidine - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
- Pethidine (meperidine) - Drug information (e.g., MedlinePlus)