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•	Encyclopedia Home
•	Poisons A-Z
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Meperidine hydrochloride overdose

Definition

Meperidine hydrochloride is a painkiller. Meperidine hydrochloride overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication.

Alternative Names

Poisonous Ingredient

• Meperidine

Where Found

• Demerol
• Mepergan Forte

Symptoms

• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • Small pupils (may be normal)
• Gastrointestinal
  • Constipation
  • Nausea
  • Spasms of the stomach or intestines
  • Vomiting
• Heart and blood
  • Low blood pressure
  • Weak pulse
• Lungs
  • Breathing problems
  • Breathing stops
  • Shallow breathing
  • Slow and labored breathing
• Nervous system
  • Coma
  • Convulsions
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Twitching muscles
• Skin
  • Blue fingernails and lips

Home Care

Seek immediate medical help. Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• Patient's age, weight, and condition
• Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
• Time it was swallowed
• Amount swallowed

Poison Control

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

The health care provider will measure and monitor your vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. You may receive:

• Activated charcoal
• Breathing tube
• Fluids by IV
• Laxative
• Medicine (antidote) to reverse the effects of the poison
• Tube through the mouth into the stomach to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage)

Outlook (Prognosis)

How well you do depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment is received. The faster you get medical help, the better the chance for recovery.

If an antidote can be given, recovery begins immediately. Patients who took a large overdose may not be breathing (respiratory arrest) and may have seizures if they do not get this medicine quickly.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.