meperidine-injection (cont.)
PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor if you have a history of: asthma, kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, head injury, seizure disorder , depression, drug dependency, drug or alcohol abuse, underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), enlarged prostate, acute stomach/intestinal disease, drug allergies
(especially to narcotic pain medications). Caution is advised if this medication
is used for conditions which require prolonged or high dosage treatment (e.g.,
sickle cell anemia, burns, cancer). Drug levels may build up in the body and cause serious side effects such as seizures and tremors. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details. The elderly and children may be more susceptible to the effects of this drug. Use this medication cautiously. To avoid dizziness and lightheadedness when rising from a seated or lying position, get up slowly. Also, limit your intake of alcoholic beverages which will aggravate these effects. Use caution performing tasks requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. This medication should be used during pregnancy only when
clearly needed. It is used during labor to provide pain relief. Discuss the
risks and benefits with your doctor. Meperidine is excreted into breast milk and while, to date, no harm has been noted to nursing infants, consult your doctor before you breast-feed.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, selegiline, tranylcypromine), naltrexone, ritonavir, sibutramine. If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting meperidine. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: acyclovir, cimetidine, phenytoin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: antihistamines that cause drowsiness (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., diazepam), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), medicine for sleep (e.g., sedatives), muscle relaxants, other narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine, or tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline), tranquilizers. Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products) because they may contain drowsiness-causing ingredients. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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