Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DEMEROL versus DURAGESIC 25.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DEMEROL versus DURAGESIC 25.
DEMEROL vs DURAGESIC-25
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.
Fentanyl is a mu-opioid receptor agonist that produces analgesia and sedation by mimicking endogenous opioids 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.
Apply 25 mcg/hour transdermally every 72 hours; initial dose in opioid-naive patients: 25 mcg/hour is not recommended; use lower strength or immediate-release opioid first.
None Documented
None Documented
2.5-4 hours; prolonged in hepatic impairment (7-11 hours) and elderly.
Terminal elimination half-life 22-25 hours (range 13-31 h) after 72-h transdermal application; prolonged in elderly, hepatic or renal impairment
Renal (90% as metabolites and unchanged drug; ~5% unchanged) and biliary/fecal (minor).
Renal (75% as metabolites, <10% unchanged); fecal (9%)
Category C
Category C
Opioid Analgesic
Opioid Analgesic