Treatment of Pain in Pediatric Patients

A growing body of evidence demonstrates that untreated pain is associated with adverse consequences that can compromise clinical and developmental outcomes in children but that these adverse consequences can be prevented or attenuated by appropriate analgesic therapy. Thus, effective treatment of acute pain must be a clinical priority for children of all ages. Over the past 20 years, extensive pediatric research exploring pain assessment, developmental pharmacology of analgesics, and the clinical use of analgesics has dispelled many myths and misconceptions about pain management in pediatric patients; proven that analgesics can be used safely in neonates, infants, and children; and provided a framework for the development of pediatric pain management guidelines. This article reviews guidelines recommended for managing acute pain in pediatric patients and the treatment options for children experiencing acute pain. Contemporary issues regarding acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, and opioids are discussed.

Removing Meperidine from the Health-System Formulary—Frequently Asked Questions

Meperidine is FDA-approved for relieving moderate to severe pain and has been widely used since its introduction in the 1930s. However, the drug is no longer considered a first-line analgesic. Many clinicians recommend that meperidine be removed from health-systems or that its use be restricted, due to concerns about adverse reactions, drug interactions, and normeperidine neurotoxicity. In addition, clinical evidence shows that meperidine has no advantage over other opioids for biliary colic or pancreatitis. The formulary status of meperidine has been extensively discussed at University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics. The Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee has been working with hospital staff to assess the impact of either removing meperidine from the formulary, or limiting its use. The Drug Information Service developed this document to help pharmacists respond to prescribers' questions and to alleviate the prescribers' concerns about these changes. Information is provided comparing meperidine with other opioids, including dosage equivalency, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, cost, adverse effects, and drug interactions. Where available, alternatives to meperidine are suggested for various indications.

Meperidine-induced reversible retrograde amnesia

INTRODUCTION

Meperidine is a synthetic opioid analog that is frequently prescribed for acute pain management. Normeperidine, the only active metabolite of meperidine, is neurotoxic and can cause significant central nervous system adverse events.

CASE SUMMARY

A 29-year-old woman (height, 170 cm; weight, 85 kg) presented to Marmara University Hospital Emergency Department, Istanbul, Turkey, complaining of low back pain she described as "stabbing." Physical examination revealed impaired lower-extremity mobility and normal vital-sign findings. There was no evidence of foot drop, head or other trauma, and systemic physical examination was unremarkable. Other common causes (eg, pyelonephritis, nephrolithiasis, pancreatitis, trauma) of lower back pain were excluded. To achieve analgesia, meperidine 80 mg was administered intravenously in 100 mL of isotonic saline solution for 20 minutes. Within 20 minutes,analgesia was achieved,but the patient developed retrograde amnesia, becoming disoriented to time, location, and persons. Her speech slowed and perceptional changes developed. After the onset of amnesia, a complete physical examination was conducted.It failed to reveal focal neurologic deficit,and laboratory (sodium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, albumin, bilirubin, hemoglobin,and platelet count) and subsequent vital-sign findings (blood pressure, 150/100 mm Hg; heart rate, 100 beats per minute; respiratory rate, 18 breaths per minute; body temperature, 37 ଌ and pulse oximetry,99%) were within the normal range. Noncontrast computed tomography did not reveal any abnormality. Initially, the patient's condition was attributed to medication error due to incorrect dosage or infusion rate. Despite a review of medication logs, equipment, and the vital-sign record, the etiology for the phenomenon could not be identified. Meperidine was discontinued and oxygen and intravenous isotonic saline solution were initiated as supportive treatment. Three hours after meperidine administration was discontinued, the amnesia and disorientation spontaneously resolved.

CONCLUSION

Meperidine was probably associated with reversible amnesia in this healthy patient after a single therapeutic dose.