Introduction to Meperidine

Using Meperidine

Ways of Administration

Effects of Meperidine

Positive

Neutral

Negative

Pharmacology of Meperidine

LD₅₀ (mg/kg) (as the hydrochloride) [2] :
Rat : 170 orally

Chemistry of Meperidine

Column 1	Column 2
Systematic(IUPAC) name:	ethyl 1-methyl-4-phenylpiperidin-4-carboxylate
Synonyms:	1-methyl-4-phenylisonipecotic acid ethyl ester, N-methyl-4-phenyl-4-carbethoxypiperidine, isonipecaine, pethidine; Algil, Alodan, Centralgin, Demerol hydrochloride, Dispadol, Dolantin, Dolestine, Dolosal, Mefedina (hydrochloride)
Molecular Formula:	C15H21N2O, C15H21N2O.HCl
Molar mass:	247.33 g/mol, 283.80 g/mol (hydrochloride)
CAS Registry Number:	57-42-1, 50-13-5 (hydrochloride)
Melting Point:	186-189°C (hydrochloride)
Boiling Point:	no data
Flash Point:	no data
Solubility:	Hydrochloride very soluble in water; soluble in alcohol, acetone, ethyl acetate; sparingly soluble in ether; slightly soluble in isopropanol; insoluble in benzene
Additionnal data:	none
Notes:	Hydrochloride aspect : white, minute crystals; slightly bitter taste; stable to air; aqueous solutions may be sterilized by boiling for short periods without decomposition

[2]

Producing Meperidine

meperidine is synthetized from benzyl cyanide according to the following scheme [1] :

The Dangers of Meperidine

Legal Status of Meperidine

Meperidine is a controlled substance 21 CFR 1308.12

United Nations

USA

EU

Other Countries

Meperidine

References

[1] Synthesis of Essential Drugs, 1st edition, Ruben Vardanyan & Victor Hruby, Elsevier
[2] Merck Index, fifteenth edition (2013)