meperidine

n. a synthetic opioid used in the acute management of moderate to severe pain (see opioid analgesic). It is an agonist at the mu opioid receptor and has the side effects of other opioid analgesics. Fatal reactions have resulted when meperidine is administered to patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and it should therefore not be used in patients who have taken MAOIs within 14 days. Patients taking phenothiazine antipsychotics or tricyclic antidepressants concurrently with meperidine may experience severe respiratory depression. Also called pethidine. U.S. trade name (among others): Demerol.

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Psychology term of the day

January 19th 2025

developmental milestone

any aspect of physical, cognitive, social, or emotional development that is significant and predictable, such that children throughout the world develop this ability, characteristic, or behavior at about the same time. Developmental milestones include presence of first teeth and language acquisition.