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Classification: Opioid
Controlled Substance Act Schedule: II
Other names for Meperidine
Meperidine is the generic name for Demerol, an opioid prescribed to treat moderate-severe pain. The drug works by attaching to opioid receptors in the brain and other parts of the body. When taken, meperidine blocks pain signals from being sent to the brain, thus preventing a person from feeling pain for a period of time.
Like most opioids, meperidine has a high potential for abuse and addiction similar to morphine. Meperidine’s pain-relieving effects can become habit-forming and cause a person to develop a chemical dependency on the drug. If they attempt to limit how much meperidine they take or quit “cold turkey,” they might develop intense cravings for the drug or become physically sick for weeks at a time. In this case, they’re experiencing physical and mental withdrawal symptoms, which are signs that they’ve developed an addiction.
People experiencing opioid withdrawal need medical supervision at a detox center to remove the drugs from their system safely.
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In the 20th century (1900s), Meperidine was the preferred opioid for treating acute pain and managing the pain of certain patients with chronic pain. According to an article published in the National Library of Medicine, the drug is used as an addition to preoperative medicines used to reduce shivering.
Meperidine is typically administered by mouth in pill form. Other forms of the drug include:
Uncontrolled cravings for Meperidine
Unsuccessful attempts to stop using Meperidine
Physical, flu-like withdrawal symptoms
Picking Meperidine use over quality time with friends and family
Experiencing legal or financial problems (arrest, job loss, etc.)
Stealing items or money to buy more Meperidine
Lying to doctors to get more Meperidine prescriptions
Meperidine is used as a pain-reliever during childbirth
In 2021, an Alaskan psychiatrist was sentenced for illegally distributing Meperidine prescriptions without a legitimate medical purpose