Meperidine (Demerol)

Drug Source

Meperidine is completely synthetic and can be produced with dichlorodiethyl methylamine and benzyl cyanide.

Trade Name

Demerol

Street Name

Demmies

Medical Uses

* originally found to be useful for muscle spasms but the discovery of it's analgesic properties has resulted in it's almost exclusive use for relief of moderate to severe pain

Drug Combinations

usually found as a single product, with few combination products. Is found in combination with acetaminophen in Demerol APAP

Physical Appearance

Demerol tablets are small white tablets with the name Winthrop on one side

Controlled Substance Status

Schedule II substance in US

Dosage

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Medical

pain relief is achieved with approx. 50mg - 150mg injected or 200mg - 300mg oral

Nonmedical

doses similar to those used in medical settings are used in recreational use.

Routes Of Administration

orally, three injection routes, and sniffing are possible, unknown if smoking is possible

Many doctors consider Demerol to be only mildly effective if it is not injected. Therefore, they are unlikely to recommend it for prescriptions outside the hospital.

Short Term Use

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CNS, Behavioral, Subjective:

same as morphine but less sedation, less intense euphoria

Respiratory:

respiratory depression tends to be less common and less intense than morphine

Gastrointestinal:

nausea and vomiting are reportedly common with oral use, but less when administered via injection

Duration

3 - 4 hours

Dependency Potential

reported to be less than or equal to that of morphine