Demerol Side Effects - for the Professional
Demerol
The major hazards of
meperidine, as with other narcotic analgesics, are respiratory depression
and, to a lesser degree, circulatory depression; respiratory arrest, shock, and cardiac arrest have occurred.
The most frequently observed adverse reactions include lightheadedness, dizziness, sedation, nausea, vomiting, and sweating. These effects seem to be more prominent in ambulatory patients and in those who are not experiencing severe pain.