Meperidine Hydrochloride and Saxenda

• 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: liraglutide
• Dosage Forms: injection, solution
• Other Brand Names: Saxenda, Victoza

Saxenda (liraglutide) is similar to a hormone that occurs naturally in the body and helps control blood sugar, insulin levels, and digestion.

Saxenda is an injectable prescription medicine that may help some obese adults or overweight adults, who also have weight-related medical problems, to lose weight and keep the weight off. It is used together with diet and exercise. Saxenda is not a weight-loss medicine or appetite suppressant.

Saxenda is not for treating type 1 or type 2 diabetes.