ARTICLES

Case Report

“TILL PETHIDINE DO US APART”; ADDICTED HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL COUPLE

Alptekin Çetin,Ahmet Yılmaz,Cemal Onur Noyan
2017, 1(2), s:75-77

Pethidine(Meperidine) is a synthetic opioid analgesic of the phenylpiperidine class. Since 1940ies, addictive potential of pethidine was documented in many reports. Pethidine addiction is also common among medical doctors and nurses. We present clinical features and treatment response of a married couple, a gastroenterologist and a nurse who were admitted  with  pethidine addiction. A 34-year-old male(a gastroenterologist) and a 26-year-old female(a nurse) married couple were admitted to clinic with the use of pethidine intravenously. While male patient refused treatment, female patient continued her treatment in inpatient service. Healthcare professionals have to be cautious while using and prescribing drugs with addiction potential. Surgeons, anesthesiologists, gastroenterologists psychiatrists and surgical nurses are the risk groups for dependency among those professionals.