Abstract

Meperidine (pethidine) is a sythetic opioid substance with high addiction potential with medical use. Cases of meperidine abuse and addiction developed after iatrogenic meperidine use have been presented in the literature. Venlafaxine and other SNRIs were shown in clinical trials to alleviate pain and depressive symptoms. In this report, we present a case of iatrogenic meperidin addiction that started after the use of the drug for chronic pain treatment. The treatment for addiction was completed in Research, Treatment and Training Center for Alcohol and Substance Dependence (AMATEM) along with the succesfull treatment of chronic pain and depression with venlafaxine pharmacotherapy.

Key words: Meperidine addiction, chronic pain, venlafaxine