Sign inBefore taking pethidine
Before taking pethidine make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:
- If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
- If you have liver or kidney problems.
- If you have respiratory (breathing) problems, including asthma.
- If you have prostate or thyroid problems.
- If you have an irregular heartbeat.
- If you have epilepsy or hypotension (low blood pressure).
- If you have recently had a serious head injury.
- If you have a condition called myasthenia gravis (a muscle wasting disease).
- If you have a condition called phaeochromocytoma (a tumour of the adrenal gland).
- If you have been constipated for more than a week or have an inflammatory bowel problem.
- If you have a problem with your bile duct.
- If you are currently or have ever been dependent on drugs or alcohol.
- If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal and complementary medicines.
- If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine.
How to take pethidine
- If you have been prescribed pethidine injection, this will be given to you by your doctor or nurse, therefore the information below does not apply to you.
- If you have been prescribed pethidine tablets, the following information does apply to you:
- Read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack.
- Take pethidine tablets exactly as your doctor has told you.
- The usual dose of pethidine between one and three tablets. The dose should not be repeated more frequently than every four hours.
- If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember and then continue taking your doses every four hours as before. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.
Getting the most from your treatment
- Alcohol will increase any feelings of drowsiness, so try to avoid alcoholic drinks.
- If you are planning a trip abroad you are advised to carry a letter with you from your doctor because pethidine is a controlled drug.
Can pethidine cause problems?
Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.
| Common side-effects | What can I do if I experience this |
| Feeling or being sick | Eat little and often. Stick to simple or bland foods – avoid very rich or spicy food. Your doctor may be able to prescribe a medicine to help with the sickness |
| Drowsiness | If you do feel sleepy, do not drive or use tools or machines |
| Constipation | Try to eat a well balanced diet containing fibre and drink 6-8 glasses of water each day. Your doctor may be able to prescribe a laxative |
| Dry mouth | If you experience this, try sugar-free gum or sweets |
| Sweating | Use a cold, damp flannel or sponge placed on the forehead |
| Difficulty passing urine, flushing of the face, a fast or fluttering heartbeat, seeing or hearing things that aren't real, mood changes, sexual problems or skin rashes | If any of these occur, speak with your doctor |
How to store pethidine
- Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
- Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
Important information about all medicines
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References
- Manufacturer's PIL, Pethidine Injection, Goldshield plc, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated April 2008.
- British National Formulary; 62nd Edition (Sep 2011) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London (link to current BNF)