What is pethidine?
Pethidine, also known as pethidine, is a synthetic opioid analgesic mainly used to relieve moderate to severe pain. In recent years, pethidine has become one of the hot topics of public concern due to its pharmacological effects and potential abuse risks. The following is a detailed introduction to pethidine, including its pharmacological effects, uses, side effects and recent hot topics.
1. Basic information about pethidine

| Project | content |
|---|---|
| common name | Pethidine |
| Alias | Pethidine, Demerol |
| drug class | opioid analgesics |
| Indications | Moderate to severe pain, preoperative analgesia, labor analgesia |
| Dosing method | Orally, intramuscularly, intravenously |
2. Pharmacological effects of pethidine
Pethidine inhibits the transmission of pain signals by acting on opioid receptors in the central nervous system, thereby achieving analgesic effects. Its mechanism of action is similar to that of morphine, but its duration of action is shorter and its addiction is relatively low. However, long-term use may still lead to dependence and tolerance.
| Pharmacological properties | Description |
|---|---|
| analgesic effect | About 1/10 of morphine |
| Action time | 2-4 hours |
| Metabolic pathways | Liver metabolism, renal excretion |
3. Uses of pethidine
Pethidine has a variety of clinical uses, including:
However, because norpethidine, the metabolite of pethidine, is neurotoxic and long-term use may cause adverse reactions such as convulsions, its clinical application has gradually decreased in recent years.
4. Side effects of pethidine
Common side effects of pethidine include:
| Side effect type | Specific performance |
|---|---|
| nervous system | Dizziness, drowsiness, respiratory depression |
| digestive system | Nausea, vomiting, constipation |
| cardiovascular system | Drop in blood pressure, bradycardia |
| Others | dependence, tolerance |
5. Recent hot topics
In the past 10 days, pethidine has become a hot topic due to controversy over its abuse risks and medical uses. The following are some hot topics:
6. Summary
As a powerful analgesic, pethidine plays an important role in the medical field, but its potential abuse risks and side effects cannot be ignored. The public should understand its proper use and avoid misuse. At the same time, the medical community is also actively exploring safer alternatives to balance the need for analgesia and medication safety.
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