[e-drug] Pethidine/meperidine safety & analgesic efficacy vs morphine

["Kae" <kaecherie@yahoo.co.uk>]

E-drug: Pethidine/meperidine safety & analgesic efficacy vs morphine
---------------------------------------------

Dear Sir/Madam,

I have received 3 responses to my question below so far from INDICES, 
and in summary there seems to be no major difference between both 
drugs from the responses. However, I wonder with the discussion 
online now in E-Drug about the WHO model list whether my question can 
be posted to E-drug as well? I am interested in the history of this 
debate because I have an impression that there may be a continental 
bias,
i.e. a condemnation of meperidine [the name for pethidine in USA] 
from northern american sites and the opposite from europe? So I would 
like to know if this is a correct conclusion and perhaps the reason 
for it.

[Summary of Indices posting: I am having difficulty clarifying the 
above issue raised by the international medical community on board. I 
know pethidine is still listed on the new WHO Model Essential Drug 
List, I have done a current copernic search on Pubmed and reviewed 
current editions of Micromedex and BNF, but so far have not been able 
to find many conclusive and updated reviews. I would welcome any 
references or feedback regarding the inclusion and role of pethidine 
(meperidine) in a hospital formulary.]

Kae
Kae Ting, MRPharmS
Pharmacist,
formerly with the National University Hospital of Malaysia
currently serving the Mercy Ships www.mercyships.org
"Kae" <kaecherie@yahoo.co.uk>
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