You should not use Demerol if you have severe asthma or breathing problems.
Do not use Demerol if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.
Demerol can slow or stop your breathing, and may be habit-forming. MISUSE OF THIS MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription.
Using this medicine during pregnancy may cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the newborn.
Fatal side effects can occur if you use Demerol with alcohol, or with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.
Before using this medicine
You should not use Demerol if you are allergic to meperidine, or if you have:
severe asthma or breathing problems; or
a blockage in your stomach or intestines.
Do not use Demerol if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.
To make sure Demerol is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
a head injury, brain tumor, or seizures;
breathing problems, sleep apnea;
drug or alcohol addiction, or mental illness;
a blockage in your stomach or intestines;
urination problems;
liver or kidney disease;
problems with your gallbladder, adrenal gland, or thyroid;
sickle cell anemia; or
abnormal curvature of the spine that affects breathing.
If you use Demerol while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on opioids may need medical treatment for several weeks.
Do not breastfeed while using Demerol. Meperidine can pass into breast milk and cause drowsiness, breathing problems, or death in a nursing baby.
How should I use Demerol?
Take Demerol exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides. Never use meperidine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if you feel an increased urge to take more of this medicine.
Demerol may be habit-forming, even at regular doses. Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. MISUSE OF DEMEROL CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.
Demerol tablets are taken by mouth.
Demerol injection is given as an infusion into a vein, or injected into a muscle or under the skin. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using this medicine.
Never crush or break a Demerol tablet to inhale the powder or mix it into a liquid to inject the drug into your vein. This practice has resulted in death with the misuse of prescription drugs.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Meperidine is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.
Do not keep leftover Demerol tablets. Just one dose can cause death in someone using this medicine accidentally or improperly. Ask your pharmacist where to locate a drug take-back disposal program. If there is no take-back program, flush any unused tablets down the toilet. Disposal of medicines by flushing is recommended to reduce the danger of accidental overdose causing death. This advice applies to a very small number of medicines only. The FDA, working with the manufacturer, has determined this method to be the most appropriate route of disposal and presents the least risk to human safety.
