Clinical review of parenteral meptazinol

The literature on the clinical use of parenteral meptazinol and its clinical pharmacology, is reviewed. Meptazinol is a centrally acting drug which produces analgesia of comparable intensity to the opiates, but there is evidence that this is more rapid in onset and of shorter duration. This potent analgesic effect is associated with a benign respiratory and cardiovascular profile. The incidence of "minor" side effects is similar to that seen following the opiates, except that central nervous system effects such as euphoria, dysphoria and hallucinations are rare. The route of metabolism of meptazinol makes it particularly suitable for use in obstetrics.