Opioids
Meperidine (Demerol)
Street names: Demerol, Meperidine HCl caps, Pethidine
Overdose? Act now. Call emergency services — say "unresponsive, not breathing". Give naloxone for opioid-like signs. Hotlines
⚡What it does
- Short-acting euphoria and pain relief
⚠Key risks
- Normeperidine metabolite causes seizures with repeated dosing
- Outdated — largely replaced in medicine
✚Overdose signs
- Pinpoint pupils
- Respiratory depression
- Tremor/seizures (toxic build-up)
📋Quick facts
Also known asDemerol, Meperidine HCl caps, Pethidine
CategoryOpioids
Schedule / classSchedule II (US)
AppearanceWhite capsules (50/100 mg); clear injectable solution
Street price~$5–$20 per 100 mg capsule (rare, diverted)
Legal statusRx-only, Schedule II; felony without prescription
Last updated2026-09-12
Sources: FDA, NIDA
Category comparison — Opioids
| Substance | Class | Top risks | Street price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meperidine (Demerol) | Schedule II | Normeperidine metabolite causes seizures with repeated dosing; Outdated — largely replaced in medicine | ~$5–$20 per 100 mg capsule |
| Heroin | Schedule I | Extremely addictive — physical dependence in weeks; Overdose: breathing slows or stops | ~$10–$40 per bag |
| Fentanyl | Schedule II | Respiratory depression; Addiction in days | ~$20–$40 per counterfeit pill |
| Fentanyl HCl (powder) | Schedule II / analogue prosecutions | Lab-purity powder is far stronger than street mixes; Weighing errors are fatal | ~$60–$120/gram wholesale equivalent |
| Acetylfentanyl | Schedule I | ~5–15× weaker than fentanyl but still deadly at gram-level mistakes; Frequent cause of cluster overdoses | ~$25–$60/g where found |
| Furanylfentanyl (Fu-F) | Schedule I | Linked to hundreds of fatal overdoses 2016–2018; Potency similar to fentanyl | ~$20–$50/g |
Street prices are regional estimates. Potency and cuts vary constantly.
?Frequently asked questions
What does Meperidine (Demerol) look like?
White capsules (50/100 mg); clear injectable solution
What are the signs of a Meperidine (Demerol) overdose?
Pinpoint pupils; Respiratory depression; Tremor/seizures (toxic build-up) Call emergency services immediately and give naloxone if available — it reverses opioid overdoses.
How addictive is it?
Normeperidine metabolite causes seizures with repeated dosing Dependence can develop with regular use.