Overview of Mialgin
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Pethidine Hydrochloride (Meperidine) |
| Form | Solution for Injection; Tablet |
| Pharmacological class | Opioid Analgesic (Synthetic Narcotic) |
| Common Use | Relief of moderate to severe acute pain |
| Origin | Synthetic (Chemically manufactured) |
Mialgin is a former brand name for the prescription drug containing the active ingredient pethidine hydrochloride (also known as meperidine). This medication belongs to the class of opioid analgesics and is classified as a controlled, synthetic narcotic. Its primary purpose is the effective management of moderate to severe pain in hospital and acute care settings.
Mialgin: Definition and Medical Classification
Pethidine is a compound that is fully synthetic, meaning it is entirely manufactured chemically and is not derived from natural opium sources. The drug functions as an agonist at the mu-opioid receptor, which is the mechanism by which it alters the body's response to pain. Pethidine is included on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Model List of Essential Medicines.
A key differentiating feature of pethidine is its metabolite, normeperidine, which has a longer half-life than the parent drug and is associated with neurotoxic effects. Because of this, medical guidelines recommend limiting its use to short-term administration for acute episodes of severe pain.
Who is Mialgin prescribed for?
Mialgin is reserved for relieving intense, acute pain that cannot be adequately controlled by non-opioid medications. Its main therapeutic application is for pain associated with surgical procedures, trauma, and as an analgesic and sedative adjunct during labor and delivery. The drug is often employed as a pre-operative medication to sedate patients and supplement anesthesia. The injectable form, the most common presentation, is administered via the intravenous or intramuscular route to ensure rapid relief when required.
Regulatory References

