Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DEMEROL versus DURAGESIC 100.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DEMEROL versus DURAGESIC 100.
DEMEROL vs DURAGESIC-100
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.
Pure opioid agonist that binds to mu-opioid receptors in the CNS, mimicking endogenous endorphins to inhibit pain transmission. Also interacts with kappa and delta receptors. Therapeutic effects include analgesia, sedation, and euphoria.
50-150 mg IM, IV, or SC every 3-4 hours as needed for pain; oral 50-150 mg every 3-4 hours.
Transdermal patch; initial dose based on prior opioid use: for opioid-naive patients, 12 mcg/h every 72 hours; for opioid-tolerant patients, convert using equianalgesic tables; maximum dose 100 mcg/h per patch; apply to non-irritated, non-irradiated skin on chest, back, flank, or upper arm.
None Documented
None Documented
2.5-4 hours; prolonged in hepatic impairment (7-11 hours) and elderly.
Terminal elimination half-life approximately 20–27 hours after transdermal system removal (range 13–25 hours in healthy adults; prolonged in elderly, hepatic impairment, and cachexia).
Renal (90% as metabolites and unchanged drug; ~5% unchanged) and biliary/fecal (minor).
Renal (primarily as metabolites, <10% unchanged fentanyl); fecal (about 9% of dose).
Category C
Category C
Opioid Analgesic
Opioid Analgesic