• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

FHE Health - Addiction & Mental Health Care Homepage

Drug, Alcohol and Mental Health Treatment

ContactCareers

Call for Immediate Help (833) 596-3502

MENUMENU
  • About
        • About FHE Rehab
          • About FHE Health
          • Our Staff
          • Locations We Serve
          • Testimonials
        • Our Campus
          • Gallery
          • Our Videos
          • The Health and Wellness Center at FHE Health
        • Our Locations
          • Alcohol Rehab
          • Detox Center
          • Drug Rehab
          • Mental Health Center
          • Outpatient Rehab
        • Careers at FHE Health
          • Employment Opportunities
        • Our Expertise
          • Accreditations
          • Educational Opportunities
          • Community Impact Award
          • First Responder Families Podcast
          • First Responder Paws
          • Education Scholarship
  • Addiction
        • Treatment Programs
          • Treatment Program Overview
          • Alcohol Addiction
          • Drug Addiction Treatment
          • Behavioral Addiction
        • Levels of Care
          • Continuum of Care
          • Addiction Detox
          • Inpatient Addiction Treatment
          • Outpatient Addiction Treatment
        • What We Treat
          • Alcoholism
          • Amphetamines
          • Benzodiazepines
          • Cocaine
          • Heroin
          • Opioids
          • Sedative
  • Mental Health
        • Mental Health Rehab
          • Mental Health Rehab
          • Onsite Psychiatric Care
          • Dual Diagnosis
        • Levels of Care
          • Residential Mental Health Care
          • Outpatient Mental Health Care
        • What We Treat
          • ADD & ADHD
          • Anxiety Disorders
          • Bipolar Disorder
          • Depression
          • Eating Disorders
          • Personality Disorders
          • PTSD
          • Schizophrenia
          • Substance Use Disorder
          • Trauma
  • Programs
        • FHE Programs
          • Specialty Program Overview
          • Restore (Mental Health)
          • Empower! (Women's Program)
          • Shatterproof FHE Health(First Responders)
          • Compass Program
        • Support Programs
          • Alumni
          • Family Support
        • Therapies
          • Acupuncture
          • Breathwork Therapy
          • CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
          • DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy)
          • EMDR Therapy
          • Expressive Arts Therapy
          • Individual Therapy
          • Group Therapy
          • Gambling Therapy
          • Massage
        • Medical Care
          • Medical Integration
          • Ketamine Infusion
          • IV Vitamin
          • Fitness & Nutrition
          • Medication-Assisted Treatment
          • Medication Management
        • NeuroRehab Services
          • Neuro Rehabilitation
          • Neurofeedback Training
          • Neurostimulation Therapy
          • EEG Brain Mapping
          • Insomnia Treatment for PTSD
  • Resources
        • FHE Guides
          • Understanding Drug Abuse
          • Signs of Addiction
          • The Disease of Addiction
          • Confronting Addiction
          • Staging an Intervention
          • Rehab Success Rate – Does It Really Work?
          • Withdrawal Timelines
          • Life After Rehab
          • LGBTQ+ Community Resources
          • Veteran Resources
          • FHE Podcasts
          • Remote Resources Toolkit
        • Learning Center
          • Help for You
          • Help For Loved Ones
          • Help For Alcoholism
          • Help With Substance Abuse
          • Behavioral & Mental Health
          • Life in Recovery
          • Rehab Explained
          • Addiction Statistics
          • Our Research Articles
          • View All Articles
        • The Experience Blog
          • Addiction News
          • Alumni
          • Community Events
          • Expert Opinions
          • FHE Commentary
          • FHE News
          • Treatment Legislation
          • View All Articles
  • Admissions
        • Insurance
          • Blue Cross Insurance
          • Beacon Health / Value Options Insurance
          • Cigna Insurance
          • Humana Insurance
          • TRICARE Insurance
        • Admissions
          • Steps to Addiction Help
          • Will Insurance Cover Behavioral Treatment?
          • Self-Pay Rehab
        • FAQ
          • Keeping Your Job in Rehab
          • Example Day in Rehab
        • Contact Admissions
          • Contact Us
          • Secure Payment Form
  • Contact
  •  
Home > Featured for Drug Addiction > Drug Profile: Pethidine (Meperidine/Demerol)

December 8, 2022 By Chris Foy

Drug Profile: Pethidine (Meperidine/Demerol)

Drug Profile on Pethidine

Pethidine is a drug that familiar to anyone who has given birth in a hospital. Also known as meperidine or by the brand name Demerol, it has been prescribed as a pain relief medication during labor since it was first licensed in 1943. The once popular synthetic opioid has fallen out of favor in the medical profession due to its negative interactions with other drugs. Notably, a drug interaction between pethidine and an antidepressant caused the death of medical student Libby Zion. This tragedy led to a change in New York’s health regulations.

Pethidine is also a target for thefts in hospitals. There is a high incidence of misuse among medical staff. Illegal sales to those who became addicted during legitimate medical use are also commonplace.

What Does Pethidine Do?

Pethidine, or Demerol as it is more commonly known, works as a painkiller by interrupting the way pain is transmitted from the nerves to the brain. It’s commonly prescribed in tablet form or administered via an injection to the buttocks or upper leg, providing pain relief for up to four hours.

During the 20th century, Demerol was one of the most commonly prescribed pain medications due to its rapid onset and short period of effectiveness. Presently, it is prescribed less often when compared with other opioids due to its numerous side effects and negative interactions. Side effects of pethidine include:

  • nausea and vomiting
  • dizziness
  • drowsiness
  • headache
  • dry mouth
  • constipation
  • sweating
  • confusion
  • breathing difficulties

Pethidine also inhibits dopamine and norepinephrine transporters in a similar way to cocaine, causing a feeling of euphoria, which is the reason that it is often misused.

Is Pethidine Addictive?

Like many other opioids, synthetic and otherwise, Demerol is highly addictive, leading to high instances of abuse. The opioid epidemic in the US continues to be a problem, with 9.7 million people abusing painkillers in 2019. Due to its potential for abuse, the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, and other health care policy agencies, have recommended limits for pethidine’s use. The maximum recommended daily dose is set at 600 mg with a maximum 48-hour period of use. The use of oral pethidine is also discouraged, although many physicians continue to prescribe the drug in this form. Demerol’s addictive properties have led to its classification as a Schedule II controlled substance.

As is common with all opioids, the more you use pethidine, the less effective it becomes, requiring continuously increasing quantities to obtain the same feeling of euphoria. Demerol addicts will try to replicate their earlier feelings by chewing tablets, crushing and snorting them or crushing them, or mixing them with water and injecting the solution. This increases the chance of an overdose, which can cause severe symptom,s such as:

  • weak or limp muscles
  • extreme drowsiness
  • stupor
  • hypothermia
  • clammy and cold skin
  • coma

Demerol also inhibits the respiratory system, so an overdose can lead to death. If you suspect someone is suffering from a Demerol overdose, it is vital to obtain immediate medical attention.

It is important to note that those who abuse painkillers like pethidine often mix the drug with other substances. Combining Demerol with depressants like alcohol or marijuana can increase the risk of cardiac arrest, seizures, respiratory failure and coma. On the other hand, combining Demerol with stimulants such as cocaine or methamphetamines (known as “speedballing”) can mask its effects, leading to an increased risk of overdose.

Signs of Demerol Addiction

Using Demerol medication in a way not prescribed by your physician is abuse, which can rapidly escalate into addiction. However, people who abuse opioids are very good at masking their use and can appear to live their lives as normal. Still, here are a few signs you can look out for:

  • constricted pupils
  • regular nausea and vomiting
  • constant fatigue
  • heavy sweating
  • appearing to be in a daze
  • forging prescriptions
  • disorientation
  • increasing dosages
  • switching physicians
  • slow breathing
  • constant itching
  • stealing money
  • numerous stashes of Demerol
  • changes in routine, such as neglecting responsibilities and withdrawing from activities
  • impulsiveness
  • lying about usage
  • constipation
  • headaches
  • dry mouth
  • irritability

Unfortunately, many users feel that Demerol isn’t as dangerous as street drugs like heroin or meth because it is prescribed by doctors and doesn’t have the same stigma. This can lead to abuse and addiction before the user realizes they have a problem. This is why intervention and treatment are vital. If you think you or a loved one have a problem with abuse of Demerol or any other opioid, seek help immediately.

Treatment for Pethidine Abuse and Addiction

Along with its highly addictive nature, Demerol withdrawal has unpleasant and potentially dangerous side effects, so it’s important that you don’t just stop taking it without professional medical help. Withdrawal can cause:

  • insomnia
  • hallucinations
  • nausea
  • paranoia
  • high blood pressure
  • anxiety
  • vomiting
  • muscle pains

These symptoms begin to show within 24 hours of the last dose, and their strength often leads to relapse. Between two and five days into withdrawal, the symptoms intensify and the user may feel scared and uncomfortable. After this, the symptoms begin to ease and fade away. Two to three weeks after the last dose, most withdrawal symptoms will be gone, although the urge to relapse is never far away.

Supervision is a good idea in the early stages, and medical detox is a suitable option, tapering off use over time. The meperidine classification as a Schedule II controlled substance means that medical detox must be supervised by licensed physicians. Inpatient treatment is also recommended at this stage, particularly if the addiction is severe. This allows 24/7 monitoring of the patient for two primary reasons: their physical health and to prevent them from seeking out Demerol again.

Therapy sessions and group counseling are also useful as they help the user address the psychological components of addiction. Analyzing the reasons for their addiction, how it affected their life and the lives around them and developing healthier behaviors are critical to preventing relapse.

For many recovering Demerol addicts, this can also be accomplished on an outpatient basis, allowing them to maintain their day-to-day lives and personal relationships. Of course, every patient is different and addiction specialists will tailor recovery programs to individual patients.

Beat Addiction With FHE Health

Beating addiction can be a tough road, and Demerol poses a particular challenge. Fortunately, at FHE Health, we have all the expertise you or your loved one need to return to living your best life. Our inpatient and outpatient programs give you all the tools you need with medical detox, therapy and group counseling. So if you or someone you love has a problem with Demerol abuse or addiction, reach out in complete confidence to one of our team by calling or contacting us online.

Filed Under: Featured for Drug Addiction, Drug Addiction

About Chris Foy

Chris Foy is a content manager and webmaster for FHE Health with years of experience in the addiction treatment industry...read more

Primary Sidebar

Learning Center

  • Help for You
  • Help For Loved Ones
  • Help For Alcoholism
  • Help With Substance Abuse
  • Behavioral & Mental Health
  • Life in Recovery
  • Rehab Explained
  • All Articles

Sign up for the Blog

Our Facilities

Take a look at our state of the art treatment center.

View Our Gallery

The Experience Blog

  • Addiction News
  • Alumni
  • Community Events
  • Expert Columns
  • FHE Commentary
  • FHE News
  • Treatment Legislation
  • All Articles

Footer

FHE Health

© 2025 FHE Health

505 S Federal Hwy #2,
Deerfield Beach, Florida 33441
1-833-596-3502
youtube facebook instagram linkedin twitter
  • Contact
  • Careers at FHE Health
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
A+ BBB and Top Places to Work - Sun Sentinel

Copyright © 2025 · FHE Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Manage Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}

The FHE Health team is committed to providing accurate information that adheres to the highest standards of writing. If one of our articles is marked with a ‘reviewed for accuracy and expertise’ badge, it indicates that one or more members of our team of doctors and clinicians have reviewed the article further to ensure accuracy. This is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure FHE Health is trusted as a leader in mental health and addiction care.

If there are any concerns about content we have published, please reach out to us at marketing@fhehealth.com.

833-596-3502

Text/Call Me