Meptazinol is an opioid drug having mixed agonist-antagonist properties. Chemically it is a hexahydroazepine derivative. It has been used to provide postoperative analgesia1,2 for patients undergoing abdominal surgery but only in single dose studies. The drug is of particular interest in that the clinical impression of minimal ventilatory depression has been confirmed, 3 60 mg meptazinol showing less ventilatory depression than 10 mg of morphine. To test its efficacy in patients undergoing abdominal surgery and to assess the incidence of side effects, an open study was undertaken in 43 patients.
PaymasterN.J.Analgesia after operation. A comparison of meptazinol, pentazocine and pethidine. Br J Anaesth1977; 49: 1139–1146.
2.
MoyesD.C., MillerM.T., AldridgeN.J.A comparison between meptazinol and omnopon in the relief of postoperative pain. S Afr Med J1979; 55: 865–866.
3.
JordanC., LehaneJ.R., RobsonP.J., JonesJ.G.A comparison of the respiratory effects of meptazinol, pentazocine and morphine. Br J Anaesth1979; 51: 497–502.
4.
GibbsJ.M., JohnsonH.Comparison of buprenorphine and pethidine for analgesia after abdominal surgery. NZ Med J1978; 88: 363–366.
