meperidine: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “meperidine” mean?
A synthetic opioid analgesic medication used to relieve moderate to severe pain, typically in medical settings.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A synthetic opioid analgesic medication used to relieve moderate to severe pain, typically in medical settings.
A narcotic painkiller chemically similar to morphine, with sedative properties and significant potential for dependence and abuse.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use the generic term 'meperidine'; brand name 'Demerol' is recognized in both regions but more commonly referenced historically in the US.
Connotations
Identical medical connotations; associated with hospital use, post-operative pain, and controlled substance regulations.
Frequency
Equally low in general usage; appears primarily in medical literature, pharmacology, and clinical discussions in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “meperidine” in a Sentence
The doctor administered meperidine to the patient.Meperidine is prescribed for postoperative pain.The patient received 50 mg of meperidine.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in general business contexts; appears only in pharmaceutical industry reports or regulatory documents.
Academic
Used in medical, pharmacological, and nursing textbooks, research papers on pain management or opioid drugs.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation; might appear in patient information leaflets or discussions with healthcare providers.
Technical
Standard term in clinical medicine, anesthesiology, pharmacy, and toxicology for a specific synthetic opioid.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “meperidine”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “meperidine”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “meperidine”
- Misspelling as 'meperidin' (dropping the final 'e').
- Incorrect pronunciation with stress on the first syllable (/ˈmɛpərɪdiːn/).
- Using it as a general term for any strong painkiller instead of the specific drug.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, meperidine (pethidine) is a synthetic opioid with a different chemical structure, duration, and side effect profile than morphine, though both are used for pain relief.
No, meperidine is a prescription-only controlled substance in most countries due to its high potential for addiction and abuse.
The most widely known brand name is Demerol, though it is often prescribed generically as meperidine or pethidine.
Its use has decreased due to the availability of safer alternatives, concerns about metabolite toxicity (normeperidine) causing seizures, and high abuse liability.
A synthetic opioid analgesic medication used to relieve moderate to severe pain, typically in medical settings.
Meperidine is usually technical/medical in register.
Meperidine: in British English it is pronounced /mɪˈpɛrɪdiːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /məˈpɛrəˌdiːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ME'dical 'PER'formance for pa'IN' relief = MEPeridine.
Conceptual Metaphor
PAIN RELIEF IS A CHEMICAL KEY (fits opioid receptors to block pain signals).
Practice
Quiz
What is meperidine primarily used for?