Pethidine
- Effective for moderate to severe pain.
- Rapid onset of action.
Risks:
- High potential for dependence and abuse.
- Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, constipation, and drowsiness.
Risk of respiratory depression.
Can cause serotonin syndrome when combined with other serotonergic drugs.
Accumulation of its metabolite, normeperidine, can lead to seizures, especially with repeated dosing or in patients with renal impairment.