Pethidine is used to treat pain of moderate to severe intensity.
What is Pethidine?
Pethidine is a narcotic. It works by changing the perception of pain.
How should Pethidine be taken?
Typically, Pethidine is taken orally in the form of tablets (to swallow whole) or syrup, according to a dosage regimen of one dose every 3-4 hours.
Side effects associated with Pethidine
The possible adverse effects of Pethidine may include:
- Feeling faint or lightheaded
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Headache
- Excessive calmness
- Mood swings
- Confusion
- Agitation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal cramps
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Redness
- Sweats
- Vision problems
You should contact a doctor immediately if Pethidine triggers any of the following symptoms:
- Shallow or difficult breathing
- Uncontrollable trembling of the hands
- Tics or muscle stiffness
- Convulsions
- Sound or visual hallucinations
- Slowed, fast or pounding heartbeat
- Difficulty passing urine
- Fainting
- Rash
- Urticaria
Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Pethidine
Pethidine can be addictive. Therefore, it is important to follow the prescribed dosage. Moreover, if it is recommended to be taken for more than a few weeks, you should not stop treatment without first consulting your doctor. Typically, a doctor will gradually decrease the dosage to avoid the appearance of symptoms of abstinence.
The active ingredient can also cause drowsiness and impair the ability to drive or operate hazardous machinery. It can also cause dizziness and fainting when standing up quickly from a lying position. Moreover, the intake of alcohol can increase the side effects of the drug.
Additionally, before taking Pethidine you must inform your doctor if:
- You have any allergy to the active substance or other drugs
- You are taking other medications, herbal remedies and supplements, remembering to mention acyclovir, antidepressants, butorphanol, cimetidine, chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, drugs for anxiety, pain, nausea, vomiting or convulsions, drugs, thioridazine and muscle relaxants, pentazocine, perphenazine, phenytoin, prochlorperazine, ritonavir, sedatives, sleeping pills, tioridaziona, trifluoperazine, triflupromazina and tranquilizers
- You have taken MAO inhibitors in the previous two weeks
- You have ever used drugs or abused alcohol
- You have recently undergone surgery
- You suffer (or have suffered) from Addison's disease, head injury, intracranial pressure problems, mental disorders, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other breathing problems, sickle cell anemia, pheochromocytoma, abnormalities in the curvature of the spine, prostatic hypertrophy, narrowing of the urethra, irregular heartbeat, seizures, stomach problems or thyroid, liver, kidney or lung disease
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
Finally, you must inform surgeons and dentists about ongoing treatment with Pethidine prior to any procedure.
