PETHIDINE / MORPHINE

SYMPTOMS:

• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sleepiness
• Sweating
• Constipation
• Dry mouth

APPEARANCE:

• A liquid in a glass (with a needle and syringe) injected into muscles or veins

DANGERS:

• Overdose causes convulsions
• Depression
• Shock and coma

WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS:

• Pain
• Vomiting
• Trembling hands
• Abdominal pain
• Cravings
• Insomnia
• Nervousness
• Muscle cramps

MORE INFO:

Compared with morphine, pethidine was thought to be safer, carry a lower risk of addiction, and to be superior in treating the pain associated with biliary spasm or renal colic due to its putative anticholinergic effects.

These were later discovered to be all myths, as it carries an equal risk of addiction, possesses no advantageous effects on biliary spasm or renal colic compared to other opioids, and due to its toxic metabolite norpethidine is more toxic than other opioids—especially during long-term use.