Meperidine Hydrochloride and Necon

• Generic Name: meperidine
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Demerol, Demerol HCl, Meperitab

A strong analgesic used in the relief of moderate to severe pain.

Usually, temporary relief of moderate to severe pain such as that associated with acute and some chronic medical disorders including renal or biliary colic, acute trauma, postoperative pain, and cancer.

Used to provide analgesia during diagnostic and orthopedic procedures and during labor.

For preoperative sedation and as a supplement to anesthesia.

Use as first-line opiate therapy is discouraged because of central excitatory toxicity of metabolite (normeperidine).

Because of extensive first-pass metabolism in the liver to normeperidine, the risk of excitatory toxicity is increased with oral administration of meperidine; therefore, oral therapy is discouraged.

Has been used to relieve the pain of MI, although probably not as effective as morphine sulfate.

In symptomatic treatment of acute pain, reserve opiate analgesics for pain resulting from severe injuries, severe medical conditions, or surgical procedures, or when nonopiate alternatives for relieving pain and restoring function are expected to be ineffective or are contraindicated. Use smallest effective dosage for shortest possible duration since long-term opiate use often begins with treatment of acute pain. Optimize concomitant use of other appropriate therapies. (See Managing Opiate Therapy for Acute Pain under Dosage and Administration.)

Use for chronic pain is discouraged because of short duration of effect and risk of accumulation of normeperidine metabolite and resultant central excitatory toxicity with repeated or large doses.

Used parenterally for preoperative sedation and as a supplement to anesthesia.

Used in patients with acute pulmonary edema for its cardiovascular effects and to allay anxiety.

Do not use in the treatment of pulmonary edema resulting from a chemical respiratory irritant.

• Generic Name: conjugated estrogens / medroxyprogesterone
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Premphase, Prempro

Estrogens and progestins are female hormones. They are produced by the body and are necessary for the normal sexual development of the female and for the regulation of the menstrual cycle during the childbearing years.

The ovaries begin to produce less estrogen after menopause (the change of life). This medicine is prescribed to make up for the lower amount of estrogen. Estrogens help relieve signs of menopause, such as hot flashes and unusual sweating, chills, faintness, or dizziness. Progestins help to regulate the effects of estrogens.

Estrogens are prescribed for several reasons:

• to provide additional hormone when the body does not produce enough of its own, such as during menopause. They can also help to relieve a genital skin condition called vaginal or vulvar atrophy.
• to help prevent weakening of bones (osteoporosis) in women past menopause.

Estrogens may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

There is no medical evidence to support the belief that the use of estrogens will keep the patient feeling young, keep the skin soft, or delay the appearance of wrinkles. Nor has it been proven that the use of estrogens during menopause will relieve emotional and nervous symptoms, unless these symptoms are caused by other menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes or hot flushes.

Estrogens and progestins are available only with your doctor's prescription.