STUDIES OF THE ADDICTION LIABILITY OF "DEMEROL" (D-140)

¹ From the United States Public Health Service Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky

When substituted for morphine Demerol partially satisfied the physical dependence established to morphine. On withdrawal, after 10 days of substitution, a definite but mild abstinence syndrome occurred.

Physical dependence on Demerol resulted from its regular administration to post-addicts over a period of 10 weeks. The abstinence syndrome which occurred following its withdrawal was milder than the morphine abstinence syndrome but otherwise quite typical. The duration of the physical dependence action of Demerol was considerably shorter than that of morphine.