Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ACTIQ versus DEMEROL.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ACTIQ versus DEMEROL.
ACTIQ vs DEMEROL
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Opioid agonist; binds to mu-opioid receptors in the CNS, altering pain perception and response.
Meperidine is an opioid agonist that binds to mu-opioid receptors in the central nervous system, mimicking endogenous endorphins to produce analgesia, sedation, and euphoria. It also has additional weak actions at kappa and delta receptors.
200 mcg transmucosally, titrated upward as needed; initial dose for opioid-tolerant patients is 200 mcg, with additional doses possible after 15 minutes if needed. Maximum 4 doses per episode. At least 4 hours between episodes.
50-150 mg IM, IV, or SC every 3-4 hours as needed for pain; oral 50-150 mg every 3-4 hours.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal half-life 0.83–2 hours (mean 1.3 h) in adults; note that context: transmucosal absorption leads to rapid onset but short duration; half-life is not correlated with clinical effect due to oral transmucosal route and rapid redistribution.
2.5-4 hours; prolonged in hepatic impairment (7-11 hours) and elderly.
Primarily renal as metabolites (about 75% as metabolites, <10% unchanged). Fecal excretion accounts for <9%. Biliary excretion is minor.
Renal (90% as metabolites and unchanged drug; ~5% unchanged) and biliary/fecal (minor).
Category C
Category C
Opioid Analgesic
Opioid Analgesic