Meperidine Is Alive and Well in the New Millennium: Evaluation of Meperidine Usage Patterns and Frequency of Adverse Drug Reactions

Abstract

Patients using PCA meperidine are at particularly high risk of experiencing ADRs based on cumulative doses and duration of treatment. Adverse drug reactions were documented in approximately 14% of patients. Our results warrant restriction of PCA meperidine and evaluation of meperidine usage policies to improve pain management services and decrease the frequency of ADRs.