Meperidine causes a depression of respiration similar to that of morphine, but it has no significant cardiovascular action when given orally. On IV administration, meperidine produces a decrease in peripheral resistance and an increase in peripheral blood flow, and it may cause an increase in cardiac rate. As with morphine, meperidine dilates cerebral vessels, increases CSF pressure, and contracts smooth muscle (the latter to a lesser extent than does morphine).Meperidine causes the pupils to dilate because of an anticholinergic action.