Pharmacy/cardiology

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Expert: Nigel Simmons - 11/8/2005


Question
Which opiatic is responsable for providing toxic metabolics?
1. FENTANYL OR MEPERIDINE

Answer
Nancy

Can you expand your question a little? Both Fentanyl and Meperidine are similar in that they are opiate drugs and are largely metabolised in the liver. There is therefore a potential interaction with other drugs that affect the enzymes involved.

Meperidine is metabolised to another compound which is also clinically active and takes 5-10 times longer to be metabolised itself. This can mean that unless the dose of Meperidine is carefully controlled, there is a danger of accumulation of the active metabolite and symptoms of opiate toxicity / overdosage.

Fentanyl has no active metabolites, and so cannot accumulate in the same way.

Is this the question you are asking?  

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Nigel Simmons

Expertise

I am happy to answer general questions on medicines and hospital care. If possible, please use approved / chemical names rather than brands which are not internationally recognised. Like all health professionals I am bound by a duty of care which prevents me giving detailed information about medication or treatment of people other than the questioner. I will endeavour to help wherever possible or point towards more appropriate advice. If however your question crosses too far into patient confidentiality, I hope you will understand why I cannot answer your question. Consider.. would you want me to discuss your care with a friend or relative without your knowledge?

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Registered as a UK pharmacist in 1982 and have worked in a number of hospital and health management posts around the UK. Formerly Chief Pharmacist for a 440 bed general hospital in Cambridgeshire.
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Previously Sysop on CompuServe UK Professionals forum.

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