Meptid

How does it work?

Meptid tablets and injection contain the active ingredient meptazinol, which is a type of medicine called an opioid analgesic (painkiller). It is related to morphine.

Opioid painkillers work by mimicking the action of naturally occurring pain-reducing chemicals called endorphins. Endorphins are found in the brain and spinal cord and reduce pain by combining with opioid receptors.

Meptazinol mimicks the action of natural endorphins by combining with the opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. This blocks the transmission of pain signals sent by the nerves to the brain. Therefore, even though the cause of the pain may remain, less pain is actually felt.

What is it used for?

Meptid tablets are used for the short-term treatment of moderate pain.

Meptid injection is used for the treatment of moderate to severe pain, including pain during childbirth, pain following surgery and pain due to kidney stones (renal colic).

Warning!

This medicine may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Alcohol should be avoided.

It is recommended that this medicine is only used for the short-term treatment of acute pain. If opioid painkillers are taken for prolonged periods of time, the body can become tolerant to them and they may become less effective at relieving pain. With prolonged use, the body may also become dependent on the medicine and withdrawal symptoms may then occur if the medicine is stopped suddenly.

Use with caution in

Elderly people

Decreased liver function

Moderate to severely decreased kidney function

People with severe breathing problems

Asthma (avoid during an attack)

Underactive thyroid gland

Low blood pressure (hypotension)

Convulsive disorders such as epilepsy

Enlarged prostate gland

Not to be used in

Alcohol intoxication (acute alcoholism)

Head injury

Raised pressure inside the skull (raised intracranial pressure)

Heart attack

People with a risk of a failure in function of part of the gut, causing an obstruction in the intestines (paralytic ileus)

People who have taken a monoamine-oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) in the last 14 days.

The injection should not be used in people with a tumour of the adrenal gland.

This medicine is not recommended for children.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine should not be used during pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor, and only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. It should not be used by breastfeeding mothers unless considered essential by your doctor, and only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

This medication may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Avoid alcoholic drink.

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