Pharmacokinetics
Absorption: 50% from the GI tract; well absorbed from IM sites. Oral doses are about half as effective as parenteral doses
Distribution: Widely distributed. Crosses the placenta; enters breast milk.
Protein Binding: Neonates: 52%; Infants 3–18 months: 85%; Adults: 60–80%
Metabolism and Excretion: Mostly metabolized by the liver; some converted to normeperidine, which may accumulate and cause seizures. 5% excreted unchanged by the kidneys
Half-life: Neonates: 12–39 hr; Infants 3–18 months: 2.3 hr; Children 5–8 yr: 3 hr; Adults: 2.5–4 hr (prolonged in impaired renal or hepatic function [7–11 hr]).
TIME/ACTION PROFILE (analgesia)
| ROUTE | ONSET | PEAK | DURATION |
| PO | 15 min | 60 min | 2–4 hr |
| IM | 10–15 min | 30–50 min | 2–4 hr |
| Subcut | 10–15 min | 40–60 min | 2–4 hr |
| IV | immediate | 5–7 min | 2–3 hr |
meperidine is a sample topic found in Davis's Drug Guide. All other sections of this record are viewable by clicking on the index in the left column, or by clicking on "Display all Sections" in the "Content Manager".
To find other Davis's Drug Guide topics, please login or purchase a subscription.
Davis's Drug Guide
