Usual Adult Dose for Pain:
Oral:
50 to 150 mg orally every 3 to 4 hours as needed
Maximum dose: 600 mg per day
Parenteral:
50 to 150 mg IM or subcutaneously every 3 to 4 hours as needed; IM administration is preferred when repeated dose are required
-May be administered IV, however, lower doses are advised and administration should be very slow, preferably using a diluted solution
Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA):
-Initial dose: 10 mg with a range of 1 to 5 mg per incremental dose; Lockout interval: 6 to 10 minutes; adjust dose based on patient response
For continuous IV infusion, the usual adult dose is 15 to 35 mg per hour
Use: For the management of pain severe enough to require an opioid analgesic and for which alternative treatments are inadequate.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Pain:
Oral:
Initial dose: 1.1 to 1.8 mg/kg orally every 3 to 4 hours as needed
Maximum single dose: 50 to 150 mg
Maximum daily dose: 600 mg
Parenteral:
Initial dose: 1.1 to 1.8 mg/kg IM or subcutaneously every 3 to 4 hours as needed; IM administration is preferred when repeated doses are required
Maximum single dose: 50 to 150 mg
-May be administered IV, however, lower doses are advised and administration should be very slow, preferably using a diluted solution
Comments:
-The American Pain Society (APS) does not recommend this drug be used as an analgesic in infants, children, and those with acute vaso-occlusive crisis pain associated with sickle-cell disease.
-Due to the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse, this drug should be reserved for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options have not been tolerated or are not expected to be tolerated or have not provided adequate analgesia, or are not expected to provide adequate analgesia.
-This drug should not be used for the treatment of chronic pain.
Use: For the management of pain severe enough to require an opioid analgesic and for which alternative treatments are inadequate.
 Detailed Demerol dosage information
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since Demerol is used for pain, you are not likely to miss a dose. Skip any missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. A meperidine overdose can be fatal, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Overdose symptoms may include slow breathing and heart rate, severe drowsiness, muscle weakness, cold and clammy skin, blue-colored skin or lips, fainting, or coma.
