Meperidine (Demerol) Nursing Considerations

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meperidine

Trade Name

Demerol

Indication

moderate to severe pain, sedation

Action

Binds to opiate receptors in the CNS and alters perception of pain while producing a general depression of the CNS.

Therapeutic Class

Opioid Analgesic

Pharmacologic Class

opioid agonists

Nursing Considerations

• may cause alterations in mentation, hypotension, constipation, nausea, vomiting • assess BP, pulse, and respiratory rate prior to administration and frequently during administration • use caution if patient is receiving MAOIs • Narcan (naloxone) is the antidote for opioid agonists • can cause seizure • may increase pancreatic enzyme levels • assess bowel function