Meperidine disposition in mother, neonate, and nonpregnant females

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Abstract
Whether meperidine [MP] metabolism is affected by pregnancy or immaturity has not been clearly established. This is of interest because MP is commonly given during labor for pain relief and the fetus receives the drug in utero. Animal studies suggest that the hormones of pregnancy contribute to decreased activity of the drug-metabolizing enzymes. Gas chromatography was used to determine the concentrations of MP and nor MP in the plasma and urine of pregnant and nonpregnant women and in the urine of neonates. Plasma samples were collected for at least 3 h after a dose of MP i.v. to calculate the kinetic parameters of MP disposition; urine samples were collected for 3 days. In contrast to reports on animals, pregnant and nonpregnant women readily metabolized MP to norMP and excrete both in a similar manner. No significant differences were demonstrated between any of the kinetic constants for peripartum and nonpregnant subjects. The neonate metabolized and excreted these drugs less rapidly.

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