Doses - MEPERIDINE HCL

Dogs:

Analgesic duration in dogs usually lasts 45 minutes to 1 hour. Drug may also be given IV, but SLOWLY.
a) Analgesic for acute pancreatitis: 5 - 10 mg/kg IM (Morgan 1988)
b) Analgesic for burns: 3 - 5 mg/kg IM prn (Morgan 1988)
c) Sedative: 5 - 10 mg/kg IM (Morgan 1988)
d) Preanesthetic: 2.5 - 6.5 mg/kg (Booth 1988a)

Cats:

a) Analgesic: 2 - 10 mg/kg IM or SC q2h prn (Jenkins 1987)
b) Sedative: 1 - 4 mg/kg IM (Morgan 1988)
c) Preanesthetic:2.2 - 4.4 mg/kg (Booth 1988a)

Rabbits & Rodents:

a) Analgesic (patient administered moderate pain relief): 0.2 mg/ml of drinking water (Huerkamp 1995)

Cattle:

As an analgesic:
a) 3.3 - 4.4 mg/kg SC or IM (Jenkins 1987)
b) 500 mg IM (Booth 1988a)
c) 150 - 200 mg/100 lbs IM or SC (or slow IV) (McConnell and Hughey 1987)

Horses:

As an analgesic:
a) 2.2 - 4 mg/kg IM or 0.2-0.4 mg/kg IV (may cause excitement) (Robinson 1987)
b) 2 - 4 mg/kg IM or IV (may cause excitement and hypotension with IV use) (Jenkins 1987)
c) 500 mg IV (slowly, CNS excitement may occur) or 1000 mg IM (Booth 1988a)
d) 0.2 - 0.4 mg/kg IV (Muir 1987)
Note: Narcotics (meperidine included) may cause CNS excitement in the horse. Some recommendpretreatment with acepromazine (0.02 - 0.04 mg/kg IV), or xylazine (0.3 - 0.5 mg/kg IV) to reducethe behavioral changes these drugs can cause.
Warning: Narcotic analgesics can mask the behavioral and cardiovascular symptoms associatedwith mild colic.

Swine:

a) As a restraining agent: Given alone does not give much restraint in large animals. Hasbeen used in combination with promazine (2 mg/kg IM) and atropine (0.07-0.09 mg/kg IM) at a dose of 1-2 mg/kg IM as a preanesthetic 45-60 minutes before barbiturate/inhalant anesthesia. All the above should be given in separate sites. (Booth 1988a)
b) Analgesic: 2 mg/kg IM q4h IM prn (Jenkins 1987)

Sheep & Goats:

a) As an analgesic: Up to 200 mg total dose IM (Jenkins 1987)
Monitoring Parameters -1) Respiratory rate/depth; 2) CNS level of depression/excitation;
3) Blood pressure if possible and indicated (especially with IV use); 4) Analgesic activity
Client Information - Oral dosage forms may cause mouth irritation. When given parenterally, thisagent should be used in an inpatient setting or with direct professional supervision.
Dosage Forms/Preparations/FDA Approval Status/Withholding Times - Veterinary-Approved Products: None

Human-Approved Products:

Meperidine HCl for Injection: 50 mg/ml in 30 ml multi-dose vials (MDV); 100 mg/ml in 20 ml
MDV; 10 mg/ml in 5 & 10 ml single-dose vial & 30 ml vials for IV infusion only; 25 mg, 50mg, 75 mg & 100 mg in 1 ml amps and vials, 1 ml fill in 2 ml Tubex, 0.5 ml Uni-Nest amps, 0.5 ml Uni-Amps and 2 ml Carpuject
Meperidine HCl for oral use: 50 mg, 100 mg tablets, 10 mg/ml oral syrup in 500 ml and pt.
A common trade name is: Demerol HCl® (Winthrop-Breon)
Note: Meperidine is listed as a Class-II controlled substance and all products require a prescription. Very accurate record keeping is required as to use and disposition of stock.