Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ASTRAMORPH PF versus DEMEROL.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ASTRAMORPH PF versus DEMEROL.
ASTRAMORPH PF vs DEMEROL
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Mu-opioid receptor agonist; produces analgesia, sedation, and euphoria by mimicking endogenous endorphins.
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.
Intravenous: 8-10 mg over 2-5 minutes; may be repeated every 8-12 hours as needed. Oral (immediate release): 10-20 mg every 4-6 hours as needed. Oral (extended release): 10-40 mg every 12 hours.
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 elimination half-life: 2-4 hours; prolonged in renal impairment (up to 12 hours in anuria) and elderly
2.5-4 hours; prolonged in hepatic impairment (7-11 hours) and elderly.
Renal: 70-80% unchanged; Biliary/Fecal: 10-20% as metabolites
Renal (90% as metabolites and unchanged drug; ~5% unchanged) and biliary/fecal (minor).
Category C
Category C
Opioid Analgesic
Opioid Analgesic