Pain control measures in sickle cell diseases are not uniform. Most clinicians use parenteral morphine or meperidine for severe pain. Reports of seizures associated with meperidine have led to a growing reliance on intravenous 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 extremely small (0.4% of patients; 0.06% of admissions). The risk of seizures should not dissuade clinicians from using this drug.
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