Name____________________
Drug & Class
Demerol (Meperidene
Hydrochloride)
Opioid Analgesic;
CNS agent; narcotic
antagonist
PO
Onset: 15 min
Peak: 60-90 min
Duration: 2-4 hrs
IM
Onset: 10-15 min
Peak: 30-50 min
Duration: 2-4 hrs
IV
Onset: 1 min
Peak: 5-7 min
Duration: 2-4 hrs
SubQ
Onset: 10-15 min
Peak: 30-50 min
Duration: 2-4 hrs
During labor IM & IV
routes are most
commonly used;
Crosses placenta
within 90 seconds of
maternal
administration
Pharmacologic
Action
Binds with opiate
receptors in the CNS,
altering perception of
and emotional
response to pain.
Analgesia, sedation,
euphoria, respiratory
depression, cough
suppression, and
suppression of bowel
motility
Given in 1st stage of
labor, b/c the baby
will be born floppy if
given later
Drug Worksheet
Therapeutic Use
Adverse Effects
Drug Interactions
Relief of moderate to
severe pain; sedation
Repeated dosing
results in
accumulation of
normeperidine, a toxic
metabolite that can
cause dysphoria,
irritability, tremors,
and seizures
MAO inhibitors: may
increase CNS
excitation or
depression that can be
severe or fatal
Maternal Effects:
nausea, vomiting,
itching, urinary
retention, sedation,
respiratory
depression, dizziness
Fetal Effects:
alteration in fetal
electroencephalogram,
decreased or absent
respiratory
movements, decrease
in fetal movements,
decreased variability
with the FHR
Newborn Effects: take
longer to breathe after
birth, have lower
Apgar scores, lower
O2Sa
CNS depressants,
general anesthetics,
hypnotics, other
opioid analgesics,
phenothiazines,
sedatives, tricyclic
antidepressants: may
cause respiratory
depression,
hypotension,
profound sedation, or
coma
Precautions &
Contraindications
Contraindications:
Narcotic dependency,
know convulsive
disorders such as
epilepsy,
hypersensitivity to the
drug, those who have
received MAO
inhibitors within past
14 days
Precautions: Avoid
use during breast
feeding. May lead to
neonatal depression.
Nursing Actions related to the Modalities
Direct Care
Monitor the woman’s respiratory rate and
quality of respirations to detect signs of
respiratory depression.
Monitor fetal heart rate for signs of late
decelerations.
Anticipate urinary retention-offer a bedpan and
monitor for bladder distention.
Drug or Drug Class:
Teaching/Counseling
Social Support
Demerol has been associated with delays in
Due to strict bed rest patient needs others to
initiation of successful breastfeeding including help with bedpan, fluid, food, and other needs
more sucking problems such as lack of sucking
and incorrect sucking technique.
Bed rest with no ambulation is necessary as
sedation and dizziness are common side
effects.
Advise patient to avoid alcohol during therapy
Woman remains on bed rest and does not
ambulate after administration as many women
experience dizziness and sedation.
Clinical Experiences with Drugs of This Class:
Drug (Generic & Trade Name)
Dose & Route
Why this Client was Receiving the Drug
Comments or Notes