Demerol belongs to a class of medicines known as narcotic analgesics. Medical professionals use it as a pain reliever and when other pain medications fail to work. Demerol relieves pain by acting on the central nervous system. The product is available in three forms:
- Tablet
- Syrup
- Solution
You should only take Demerol under the guidance of your doctor. Avoid taking it in high amounts or extending the prescription for a longer time. If you are older, you may be extra sensitive to the side effects of this product.
If you use Demerol for a long time, there is a risk that it may cause mental or physical dependence. However, fear of addiction should not prevent you from taking this medicine. Ensure that you follow your doctor’s advice for safety.
Physical dependence may cause withdrawal effects if you decide to stop the medication. In some cases, individuals experience severe withdrawal effects. To minimize the severity of these effects, reduce the dose gradually for some time before you stop completely.
Demerol has a high potential for addiction. The government distributes it under a highly restricted program known as the Opioid Analgesic REMS program. Before acquiring a Demerol prescription, consult your doctor and evaluate the risks and advantages.
Proper Use of Demerol
Using Demerol for reasons other than recommended by your doctor is abuse. To prevent Demerol use disorder, you need to take this product only under strict instructions from your doctor. To maintain the proper use of Demerol, observe the following:
- Read and understand all the rules and guidelines of the REMS program. The rules help prevent abuse, addiction and misuse of Demerol. If you have questions, consult your doctor to get a better understanding.
- Measure your dose with a marked oral syringe, medicine cup or measuring spoon. Do not use the average household spoon to measure. It may result in taking a higher dose.
- Swallow the tablet whole. You are not to break, chew or crush it.
- Mix your dose with half a glass of water and drink the mixture. Taking it with water helps reduce the numbing effect.
- Drink plenty of fluids. You’ll reduce the chances of getting constipation during treatment with Demerol.
Precaution
If your doctor prescribes this medication, please observe the following warnings:
- Demerol may cause dizziness, confusion or disorientation. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you are fully aware of how the product affects you.
- Before going into surgery, tell your doctor that you use Demerol to avoid interaction during the operation.
- If you experience anxiety, fast heartbeat, twitching, nausea or hallucinations after taking Demerol, check with your doctor as soon as possible.
- If you take alcohol or any other substance that affects your central nervous system, inform your doctor before proceeding with a Demerol prescription. These substances may lead to severe side effects.
- Demerol is habit-forming. If you no longer feel the effect of this medicine, do not use a higher dose. Consult with your doctor on the right course of action.
- Keep close contact with your doctor so that they may monitor your progress constantly. It allows them to gauge whether the medicine is working appropriately.
- Taking too much of the drug can lead to an overdose. Follow the instructions on the label without fail.
Recommended Dose
The recommended Demerol dose is different for each patient. Ensure that you follow all the instructions on the label and from your doctor. If you do not understand them, seek advice from your doctor. The strength of the medicine, the time allowed between doses, length of drug use and the number of doses taken every day are some of the factors that determine the amount of medicine you should take.
Most Demerol recommended doses are as follows:
- Adults should take 50 – 100 mg every four hours.
- Doses for children depend on their body weight. Your child’s doctor should determine the prescription details. Administer the medicine after every four hours.
- For children below one year, a doctor determines the use and dose.
Demerol Withdrawal
If you decide to stop treating your pain with Demerol, consult your doctor on the most appropriate way to do so. Suddenly stopping typically leads to withdrawal. The most appropriate way of stopping this medication is gradually lowering your daily dose. Your doctor will adjust the dose amount in small quantities until your body adapts to the changes. Withdrawal symptoms vary from one patient to another. The symptoms depend on your age, length of use and existing health conditions.
Common withdrawal symptoms include:
- Hallucinations
- Dry mouth
- Muscle aches
- Sweating
- Increased blood pressure
- Vomiting
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Paranoia
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Chills
- Restlessness
- Runny eyes
- Runny nose
- Shortness of breath
Interaction With Other Medicine
When you use Demerol with other medicine, you increase the risk of experiencing interaction and severe withdrawal effects. Additionally, using multiple medications may lead to dependence on more than one drug. Do not use the following medicines with Demerol unless advised so by your doctor:
- Tranylcypromine
- Furazolidone
- Linezolid
- Procarbazine
- Rasagiline
- Selegiline
- Methylene Blue
- Iproniazid
- Toloxatone
- Phenelzine
- Nalmefene
- Moclobemide
- Isocarboxazid
- Safinamide
If your doctor prescribes Demerol with any of the above medicines, they may change the dose to prevent significant interaction.
Existing Medical Problems
If you have underlying medical conditions, the use of Demerol may contribute to the overall withdrawal symptoms. Before taking a Demerol prescription, make sure you inform your doctor if you have any of the following medical conditions:
- Lung or any breathing problem like asthma
- Kidney disease
- Stomach blockage
- Mental illness
- Sickle cell anemia
- Weakened physical condition
- Head injuries
- Low blood pressure or volume
- Pancreatitis
- Adrenal gland tumor
- Enlarged prostate
- Central nervous system depression
- Alcohol abuse
- Drug dependence or a history of substance use disorder
- Gallbladder disease
- Serious heart condition
Demerol Withdrawal Timeline
The withdrawal timeline is different for every patient. If you have existing health conditions, you may experience withdrawal sooner. Most patients start to experience withdrawal symptoms within one day after the last dose. In some cases, individuals who have developed Demerol dependence may experience these symptoms a few hours after their most recent dose.
The withdrawal symptoms typically intensify after several days and subside within two weeks after tapering. It is critical to seek the services of your doctor for a successful tapering schedule.
Demerol Addiction
If you experience withdrawal symptoms after using Demerol, then there is a high likelihood that you have developed dependence. You are likely to become addicted if you:
- Take a higher dose than prescribed
- Take someone else’s prescription
- Take the drug to get high
Signs of Demerol addiction include:
- Neglecting duties and hobbies
- Being unable to stop drug use
- Spending a lot of time trying to acquire drugs
- Continuing with use despite adverse consequences
- Experiencing withdrawal after the effects of Demerol wear off
Demerol Detox
Medical detox is a critical process in the recovery process. Do not try to detox alone as it can have significant complications and a very high likelihood of a relapse. Granite Recovery Centers offers medically monitored detox to ensure your health and safety throughout the process. Seek our services today and let us help you maintain sobriety. Granite Recovery Centers provides medical detoxification for people who do not need immediate medical intervention, are not a danger to themselves, and are capable of self-evacuation in the event of an emergency.
Demerol detox features an integrated program featuring gradual tapering, round-the-clock monitoring and managing withdrawal symptoms. If you have psychological dependence, we will take you through several therapies to help you eradicate the need for using the drug.
Our therapies include recreational therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Why Is Our Program Efficient?
We have three basic approaches that help you achieve long-term sobriety:
- Medication-assisted treatment
- Psychotherapy
- 12-steps program
Psychotherapy helps our team identify your triggers and causes of addiction. For some of our patients, medical-assisted treatment features the use of pharmaceuticals to treat addiction and make it easier to avoid relapse. We use these treatment programs alongside behavioral therapy to address substance use disorders.
Our 12-steps approach integrates individual and group psychotherapies in a safe environment. We ensure that our patients work through the entire 12-step program to learn how each step affects their present, past and future sobriety.
Treatment Options
When you enroll in our rehabilitation facility, we’ll make it a priority to discuss your treatment and care goals. Often, treatment for Demerol addiction features counseling, medicine and support. The following options are available to you:
- Home-based care lets you taper off your medicine and rely on a familiar support system. Withdrawing from Demerol can be challenging and should be implemented slowly.
- Hospital treatment is recommended in case the withdrawal symptoms are severe.
- Rehabilitation facilities purposely set up for detox and recovery from addiction are recommended for moderate to severe cases.
Granite Recovery Center offers all the above services and so much more. You get round-the-clock support, clinical therapies, individualized care and an environment where you can interact with your peers as you seek sobriety. Seek our services today and get top-notch rehabilitation services.
Medicine Used for Demerol Detox
An addiction specialist may recommend treating your addiction with one or more of the following medications:
- Methadone suppresses withdrawal symptoms and aids with detox. If you develop opioid dependence, this drug is used as a long-term solution for maintenance. Your doctor reduces the dose after you have undergone a period of rehabilitation to lessen the intensity of withdrawal symptoms.
- Buprenorphine treats Demerol withdrawal. It also shortens the duration of detox. Just like its counterpart methadone, it is also used for long-term maintenance. Your doctor may combine buprenorphine with naloxone to help prevent misuse and dependence.
- Clonidine reduces agitation, muscle aches, cramping, sweating, anxiety and running nose. Clonidine does not suppress cravings.
- Naltrexone helps prevent relapse. It is administered as an injection or in pill form. If you take naltrexone with Demerol still in your system, however, you may experience abrupt and severe withdrawal.
After detox, you will need to undergo long-term treatment to help prevent a future case of relapse. Long-term treatment typically includes:
- Inpatient treatment
- Intensive outpatient treatment
- Outpatient counseling
- Self-help groups
Possible Complications When Undergoing Detox
There is always the possibility of encountering complications when undergoing medical detox. The most common are breathing the contents of your stomach into the lungs and vomiting. You risk getting a lung infection. Additionally, vomiting and diarrhea may lead to constipation and disturbance to your body.
The most significant complication during detox is relapsing after you have already completed the whole process. In some cases, getting back into Demerol use leads to an overdose or death. You can prevent this by choosing a dedicated rehab facility to help you avoid relapse.
Demerol Overdose
Most cases of Demerol overdose will occur when an individual relapses or combines the product with other medicines. If you happen to come across an overdose case, call 911 immediately to get emergency medical help. The following are signs of Demerol overdose:
- Loss of consciousness
- Drowsiness
- Decreased response rate
- Severe sleepiness
- Bluish color on your lips, skin, nail beds, fingernails or palms
Conclusion
Withdrawal symptoms can be challenging to cope with, especially if you have been using Demerol for a long time. Before you start using this medication, ensure that you evaluate the advantages, disadvantages and risks involved.
If you develop Demerol dependence and then decide to quit all of a sudden, you are bound to experience withdrawal symptoms. It’s helpful to talk to your doctor or an addiction specialist about all the possible scenarios regarding Demerol withdrawal signs and the detox process, including the best treatment options.
You don’t have to suffer from drug dependency or addiction any longer. Seek our services today, and Granite Recovery Centers will help you start on the road to recovery.
