Phenoperidine
Pronunciation:fee-noh-PER-i-deen
Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number:562-26-5
Formal Names:Operidine
Type:Depressant (opioid class).Seepage 24
Federal Schedule Listing:Schedule I (DEA no. 9641)
USA Availability:Illegal to possess
Pregnancy Category:None
Uses.This drug has no officially approved medical use in the United States.
Elsewhere (such as Sweden, France, and Great Britain) the substance is ad-
ministered for sedation and pain relief, much likemorphine. For example,
phenoperidine is used to calm patients and to cloud unpleasant memory of
procedures such as a cataract operation or sticking tubes down passages in
the throat or lungs. Phenoperidine is also used in major dental work, such as
extraction of wisdom teeth. The substance has been recommended for children
in intensive-care units, partly because it normally has modest impact on heart
and breathing functions when used in a medical context. Medical practitioners
report the drug also has excellent anesthesia results in elderly abdominal sur-
gery patients. Very young and very old populations can be among the most
challenging for safe drug treatment, so these favorable results are especially
important for evaluating the drug. Phenoperidine takes effect quickly and has
a relatively prolonged time of therapeutic action.
One study found phenoperidine, morphine, andfentanylto have about
equivalent value for anesthesia, although the drugs are not equivalent in
strength. For example, intravenous doses of fentanyl are 6 times stronger than
phenoperidine, and phenoperidine is 5 to 10 times stronger than morphine.
A study found phenoperidine as effective asheroinin relieving pain from
cesarean section. Body chemistry transforms a portion of a phenoperidine dose
intomeperidine.
Drawbacks.Unwanted effects can include itching, nausea, vomiting, and
breathing trouble. Reports exist of heart and brain damage caused by medical
doses.
Abuse factors.Dependence can develop.
Drug interactions.Reports indicate phenoperidine can reduce blood pres-
sure, and the compound is suspected of interacting with propranolol (a drug