Demerol contains the active ingredient meperidine hydrochloride, an opioid agonist. It comes in tablet form, available in 50 mg and 100 mg strengths for oral use. Key inactive ingredients include pregelatinized starch, microcrystalline cellulose, and lactose monohydrate.

How should I use this medication?

Take this medication by mouth. Take it as directed on the prescription label. Do not take it more often than directed. A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time. Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While this medication may be prescribed for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once. NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep this medication out of reach of children and pets. Store it out of sight in a safe place. Do not share it with others. Misuse of this medication is dangerous and against the law. Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Keep the container tightly closed. Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date. This medication may cause harm and death if it is taken by other adults, children, or pets. It is important to get rid of the medication as soon as you no longer need it or it is expired. To get rid of this medication: -Take the medication to a take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location. -Follow the steps given to you by your pharmacy. You may be given a pre-paid mail-back envelope or disposal product to safely get rid of your medication. -If other options are not available, flush the medication down the toilet.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible: -Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat -CNS depression—slow or shallow breathing, shortness of breath, feeling faint, dizziness, confusion, trouble staying awake -Low adrenal gland function—nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness -Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome): -Constipation -Dizziness -Drowsiness -Dry mouth -Headache -Nausea -Vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions: -Brain tumor -Frequently drink alcohol -Head injury -Heart disease -Kidney disease -Liver disease -Lung disease or breathing disease, such as asthma -Seizures -Stomach or intestine problems -Substance use disorder -Taken an MAOI like Marplan, Nardil, or Parnate in the last 14 days -An unusual or allergic reaction to meperidine, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives -Pregnant or trying to get pregnant -Breastfeeding

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following: -Linezolid -MAOIs, such as Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate -Methylene blue -Olanzapine; samidorphan -Ozanimod -Ritonavir -Safinamide -Tedizolid This medication may also interact with the following: -Alcohol -Antihistamines for allergy, cough, and cold -Atropine -Benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, diazepam, lorazepam -Certain medications for bladder problems, such as oxybutynin or tolterodine -Certain medications for depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions -Certain medication for migraines, such as sumatriptan -Certain medications for Parkinson disease, such as benztropine or trihexyphenidyl -Certain medications for seizures, such as phenobarbital or primidone -Certain medications for stomach problems, such as dicyclomine or hyoscyamine -Certain medications for travel sickness, such as scopolamine -Diuretics -Ipratropium -Linezolid -Medications that cause drowsiness before a procedure, such as propofol -Medications that help you fall asleep -Medications that relax muscles -Methylene blue -Other opioids for pain or cough -Phenothiazines, such as chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine -St. John's wort -Stimulant medications for ADHD, weight loss, or staying awake -Tryptophan Other medications may affect the way this medication works. Talk with your care team about all of the medications you take. They may suggest changes to your treatment plan to lower the risk of side effects and to make sure your medications work as intended.

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Tell your care team if your pain does not go away, if it gets worse, or if you have new or a different type of pain. You may develop tolerance to this medication. Tolerance means that you will need a higher dose of the medication for pain relief. Tolerance is normal and is expected if you take this medication for a long time. Taking this medication with other substances that cause drowsiness, such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other opioids can cause serious side effects. Give your care team a list of all medications you use. They will tell you how much medication to take. Do not take more medication than directed. Call emergency services if you have problems breathing or staying awake. Long term use of this medication may cause your brain and body to depend on it. This can happen even when used as directed by your care team. You and your care team will work together to determine how long you will need to take this medication. If your care team wants you to stop this medication, the dose will be slowly lowered over time to reduce the risk of side effects. Naloxone is an emergency medication used for an opioid overdose. An overdose can happen if you take too much of an opioid. It can also happen if an opioid is taken with some other medications or substances such as alcohol. Know the symptoms of an overdose, such as trouble breathing, unusually tired or sleepy, or not being able to respond or wake up. Make sure to tell caregivers and close contacts where your naloxone is stored. Make sure they know how to use it. After naloxone is given, the person giving it must call emergency services. Naloxone is a temporary treatment. Repeat doses may be needed. This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Sit up or stand slowly to reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Drinking alcohol with this medication can increase the risk of these side effects. This medication will cause constipation. If you do not have a bowel movement for 3 days, call your care team. Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your care team if the problem does not go away or is severe. Talk to your care team if you may be pregnant. Prolonged use of this medication during pregnancy can cause temporary withdrawal in a newborn. Talk to your care team before breastfeeding. Changes to your treatment plan may be needed. If you breastfeed while taking this medication, seek medical care right away if you notice the child has slow or noisy breathing, is unusually sleepy or not able to wake up, or is limp. Long-term use of this medication may cause infertility. Talk to your care team if you are concerned about your fertility.

What are the most serious risks of this medication?

Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. If you take this medicine while pregnant, your newborn baby may have withdrawal symptoms that can be life-threatening. Your baby will need special care after delivery. This medicine is a CNS depressant. It can cause deadly breathing problems. The risk is greatest when you first start taking it, when your dose is changed, if you take too much, or if you take another CNS depressant medicine. CNS depressants include: opioid pain medicines; opioid cough medicines; benzodiazepines; certain other sleep medicines and tranquilizers; muscle relaxants; antipsychotics; and alcohol in drinks or medicines. Tell your healthcare provider all the prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements you take. Call your healthcare provider or get emergency medical help right away if you have: trouble breathing; have drowsiness with slowed breathing; have slow, shallow breathing; feel faint, very dizzy, confused, or have unusual symptoms. Using this medicine, even when using it as directed, can lead to misuse, abuse, or addiction. Misuse, abuse, or addiction can result in overdose and death. Do not use this medicine at the same time as or within 14 days of a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Using these medicines together can cause coma, serious trouble breathing, and low blood pressure. If you are not sure, your healthcare provider can tell you if you are taking a MAOI. This medicine has a risk of overdose. Starting or stopping certain medicines may increase this risk. Talk to your healthcare provider about all medicines you take before making any changes. Get emergency help if you take too much of this medicine. Never give it to anyone else. They can have a deadly overdose from just 1 dose of this medicine. Store it in a safe place and away from children.