What is Demerol® ? is
an opiate taken as a pill, liquid or patch.
Dependency is as much an issue as with other
opioids, but there is an added danger to those
with kidney or liver disease. Prescription
has fallen out of favor in recent years, but
it is still sometimes prescribed as an alternative
to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The
potential for dependency is high, and early
treatment for this dependency is crucial to
avoid toxicity issues.
Demerol, also known as Pethidine or meperidine,
is considered a fast-acting opioid drug used
in the management of moderate to severe pain.
It is available in the U.S. in tablets, syrup
and by intravenous and intramuscular injection.
The adult dosage outlined by the manufacturer
is 50 mg to 150 mg orally every 3-4 hours.
Like other opiates, Demerol has the potential
to be misused, abused and diverted. Tolerance
and dependency to Demerol can occur quickly
with regular use. Some health professionals
believe Demerol can be more addictive than
some other opiates because of its fast action
and the associated rush and euphoria that comes
with it. Taking Demerol can also lead to feelings
of confusion, impaired motor and cognitive
function, and difficulty concentrating. Demerol
is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance
in the U.S. The federal government classifies
drugs based on their potential to be habit-forming
and lead to abuse.
DEMEROL SIDE EFFECTS
Side effects reported with Demerol use include:
Constipation
Fatigue
Muscle twitches
Nausea
Headache
Lightheadedness
Anxiety
Euphoria
Dry mouth
Loss of appetite
Nervousness
Diarrhea
Cramps and abdominal pain
Severe side effects include seizure, tremors
and delirium.
DEMEROL WITHDRAWAL AND TREATMENT OPTIONS
Because opiate drugs can lead to addiction
and abuse, they should be taken only as prescribed
and never shared. The black market for painkillers
makes drugs like Demerol hot commodities. Illicit
use of Demerol and other narcotics can be dangerous.
People taking Demerol should reduce their use
slowly. Stopping abruptly can cause withdrawal
symptoms to set in quickly. The physical and
psychological discomfort of withdrawal is one
of the main reasons people delay seeking treatment
for an opiate addiction. Symptoms of withdrawal
are much the same for all narcotic pain medications.
They include muscle and bone pain, anxiety,
nausea, insomnia, flu-like symptoms, tremors
and restlessness. Detoxing from opiates
can be difficult, especially in those who have
used drugs for a long time, at high doses.
Often it is difficult to stop using opiates
without help. In-patient and out-patient treatment
centers offer a variety of therapies for addiction.
Depending on the severity and length of abuse,
treatment could entail detox, rehabilitation
and counseling. Hospital-based programs are
available to provide supervision and medical
services to make detox safe and comfortable.
Rapid detox programs have also been gaining
ground in the medical field. Supervised in
a hospital setting, rapid detox can rid patients
of their dependence, often bypassing the very
painful withdrawal phase while under light
anesthesia.
DEMEROL DANGERS OF MISUSE
Demerol should be taken exactly as prescribed
and the tablet should not be crushed, chewed,
snorted or mixed with liquid and injected.
Inhaling or injecting it can cause life-threatening
reactions, overdose or death. Taking too much
of the drug can be fatal, according to the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Overdose
symptoms can include drowsiness, extreme weakness,
shallow breathing, slow heart beat, cold or
clammy skin, lightheadedness, fainting or coma.
Get Demerol Help
Now
Call
us today to discuss how the Waismann Method
can free you from your Demerol dependency
and get your life back.
Call
(310) 205-0808 or (888) 987-HOPE (4673)
during business hours. for more
information about rapid detox treatment
for prescription drug addiction
After-hours
and weekends, please call (310) 927-7155.
Call
(310) 205-0808 or (888) 987-HOPE (4673)
during business hours. for more
information about rapid detox treatment
for prescription drug addiction
