Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 4/5/2009

Question
Hello, I have been on an MAO Inhibitor for over 25 years and my doctor wants me to have a colonoscopy.  He checked and told me that Versed would be okay with the MAO.
But I just read that sometimes they give you Demerol, which I cannot have. Do they always give something for pain
when they do a colonoscopy? Is there something they could give me that I could have with the M.A.O.?

Answer
They usually give something for pain but they certainly don't need to give you Demerol. Most often, we give Fentanyl. If an anesthesiologist is providing the care, they will do this also. If the GI doc is giving the meds, they might not, so make sure to make it clear to them that you can't have Demerol.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston