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Meperidine hydrochloride overdose

Definition

This is poisoning from taking a very large amount of the painkiller meperidine.

Alternative Names

Poisonous Ingredient

• Meperidine

Where Found

• Demerol
• Mepergan Forte

Symptoms

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

Home Care

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

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following:

• Patient's age, weight, and condition
• Name of product (as well as the ingredients and strength, if known)
• Time it was swallowed
• Amount swallowed
• If the medication was prescribed for the patient

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 U.S. 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 National Poison Control center.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. The patient may receive:

• Fluids by IV
• Breathing help
• Laxative
• Medicines to treat symptoms
• Activated charcoal
• A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)
• Medicine (antidote) to reverse the effects of the poison

Outlook (Prognosis)

If an antidote can be given, recovery begins immediately. Patients who took a large overdose may have respiratory arrest (no breathing) and 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.