Anesthesia & Analgesia · 1986 · 106 citations · 0 references
MedicinePharmacologyToxicologyPain ManagementPain MedicinePerioperative PharmacologyAdverse Effects Of AnalgesicsAnalgesic PharmacologyDrug ToxicityOpioid AnalgesicsOpioid ToxicologyPostoperative PainAnalgesic OverdoseOpioid Analgesic ManagementOpioid Side EffectsPerioperative Pain PharmacotherapyPostoperative Opioid AnalgesiaPostoperative Opioid PrescribingToxic Metabolite Formation
Meperidine hydrochloride is the most commonly prescribed opioid analgesic for postoperative pain in our hospital. Biotransformation of meperidine may lead to a potentially toxic metabolite, normeperidine. We describe two cases of apparent normeperidine toxicity and discuss reasons for normeperidine accumulation.