Meperidine hydrochloride

A mixture of 23 parts of the ethyl ester of 4 phenylisonipecotic acid and 15 parts of 2,2-diphenyl-4-bromobutyronitrile in 19 parts of xylene is heated for 24 hours at 100°-120°C and then cooled and filtered to remove the precipitate of the hydrobromide of the ethyl ester of 4-phenylisonipecotic acid. The filtrate is then extracted with dilute hydrochloric acid and the extract is rendered alkaline by addition of concentrated aqueous potassium hydroxide and extracted with ether. This ether extract is treated with gaseous hydrogen chloride. The resulting precipitate is collected on a filter. The hydrochloride of the ethyl ester of 2,2 diphenyl-4-(4 -carboxy-4 -phenyl-1 -piperidino) butyronitrile thus obtained melts at about 220.5-222°C. See Meperidine hydrochloride for synthesis of 4-phenyl-isonipecotic acid ethyl ester. 

Less potent opioids have fallen into disfavor because of the prominence of the untoward effects they produce when given in high doses. Meperidine hydrochloride (Demerol) causes tachycardia, while morphine produces hypotension and bronchoconstriction as a consequence of its histamine-releasing action. 

Other opioid pain-relievers (oxycodone, meperidine, hydromor- phone, hydrocodone, propoxyphene) Tylox, OxyContin, Percodan, Percocet Oxy 80s, Oxycotton, Oxycet, hillbilly heroin, percs, Demerol, meperidine hydrochloride demmies, pain killer, Diaudid Juice, dillies Vicodin, Lortab, Lorcet Darvon, Dorvocet II, III, IV Swallowed, Injected, Suppositories, Chewed, Crushed, Snorted ... 

Meperidine hydrochloride (l-methyl-4-carbethoxy-4-phenylpiperidine), also known as Demerol, is an important narcotic and analgesic. It is not made from piperidine, but rather by ring-closure reactions of appropriate precursors,... 

OFFICIAL NAMES Meperidine, meperidine hydrochloride, Demerol, Pethidine STREET NAMES Demmies DRUG CLASSIFICATIONS Schedule II, narcotic... 

Meperidine hydrochloride (the full name) is a synthetic opioid. It is synthesized by the reaction of chemicals not found in opium. Specifically, meperidine hydrochloride is produced by the reaction of dichlorodi-ethyl methylamine with benzyl cyanide, to produce ethyl l-methyl-4-phenyl-isonipecotate hydrochloride (meperidine s chemical name). Some references to meperidine classify it as a totally synthetic opioid. Semi-synthetic opioids are produced by using one of the opiates as a starting material. Two examples of semi-synthetic opioids are hydrocodone and heroin. Hydrocodone is produced by the chemical modification of codeine, while heroin is made by chemically altering morphine. 

Demerol , 100 mg (meperidine hydrochloride). Front (left) and back views. 

V. Das Gupta, Quantitation of meperidine hydrochloride in pharmaceutical dosage forms by HPLC, J. Pharm. Sci., 72 695 (1983). 

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