Drug-taking 2-4, 7, 9-11 addiction reaction

Adverse effects Large doses of meperidine cause tremors, muscle twitches, and rarely, convulsions. The drug differs from opioids in that in large doses it dilates the pupil and causes hyperactive reflexes. Severe hypotension can occur when the drug is administered postoperatively. When used with major neuroleptics, depression is greatly enhanced. Administration to patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (see p. 123) can provoke severe reactions such as convulsions and hyperthermia. Meperidine can cause dependence, and can substitute for morphine or heroin in use by addicts. Cross-tolerance with the other opioids occurs. 

Some addicts even claim that opiates help them to resist disease. Many heroin users say they doii t get colds or other respiratory infections as long as they take their drug. Since the symptoms of heroin withdrawal rcseml)lc those of a respiratory flu, it is possible that the drug somehow suppresses this kind of reaction. No one has investigated this claim of addicts it would make an interesting subject of research. 

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