Low frequency of meperidine-associated seizures in sickle cell disease

Pain control measures in sickle cell diseases are not uniform. Most clinici ans use parenteral morphine or meperidine for severe pain. Reports of seizu res associated with meperidine have led to a growing reliance on intravenou s morphine, usually with patient-controlled devices. Acceptance of morphine has been poor among patients, and many prefer meperidine. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the incidence of meperidine-associated seizures in a large, mostly pediatric population with sickling disorders. The results suggest that the incidence of seizures with meperidine is extre mely small (0.4% of patients; 0.06% of admissions). The risk of seizures sh ould not dissuade clinicians from using this drug.