Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DEMEROL versus DSUVIA.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DEMEROL versus DSUVIA.
DEMEROL vs DSUVIA
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.
Selective, high-affinity agonist at the mu-opioid receptor, resulting in analgesia via activation of G-protein coupled inwardly rectifying potassium channels and inhibition of voltage-gated calcium channels in the central nervous system.
50-150 mg IM, IV, or SC every 3-4 hours as needed for pain; oral 50-150 mg every 3-4 hours.
30 mcg sublingual tablet as a single dose; may repeat once after 1 hour if needed. Maximum 2 doses per 24 hours.
None Documented
None Documented
2.5-4 hours; prolonged in hepatic impairment (7-11 hours) and elderly.
Terminal elimination half-life is approximately 23.4 hours (range 17–30 h), supporting once-daily dosing. Due to rapid redistribution, clinical effects may wane before elimination is complete.
Renal (90% as metabolites and unchanged drug; ~5% unchanged) and biliary/fecal (minor).
Primarily renal elimination of metabolites; unchanged drug accounts for <1% of the dose. Fecal excretion is minimal. Total recovery: ~70% in urine, ~20% in feces.
Category C
Category C
Opioid Analgesic
Opioid Analgesic