Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DEMEROL versus DILAUDID.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DEMEROL versus DILAUDID.
DEMEROL vs DILAUDID
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
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.
Dilaudid (hydromorphone) is a full opioid agonist with high affinity for mu-opioid receptors, producing analgesia by mimicking endogenous endorphins and enkephalins. It also activates kappa and delta opioid receptors to a lesser extent.
50-150 mg IM, IV, or SC every 3-4 hours as needed for pain; oral 50-150 mg every 3-4 hours.
Initial: 2-4 mg orally every 4-6 hours as needed; or 1-2 mg intramuscularly, subcutaneously, or intravenously every 4-6 hours as needed.
None Documented
None Documented
2.5-4 hours; prolonged in hepatic impairment (7-11 hours) and elderly.
2.5-3.5 hours (terminal); prolonged in hepatic/renal impairment
Renal (90% as metabolites and unchanged drug; ~5% unchanged) and biliary/fecal (minor).
Primarily renal (90% as hydromorphone-3-glucuronide and parent drug); <1% biliary/fecal
Category C
Category C
Opioid Analgesic
Opioid Analgesic