Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DEMEROL versus DURAGESIC 75.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DEMEROL versus DURAGESIC 75.
DEMEROL vs DURAGESIC-75
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 potent opioid agonist primarily at the mu-opioid receptor, exerting its analgesic effects by mimicking endogenous endorphins and enkephalins to activate G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium channels, leading to hyperpolarization and reduced neuronal excitability in pain pathways.
50-150 mg IM, IV, or SC every 3-4 hours as needed for pain; oral 50-150 mg every 3-4 hours.
Adults: Apply one 75 mcg/hr transdermal patch every 72 hours. Start with lower dose in opioid-naive patients.
None Documented
None Documented
2.5-4 hours; prolonged in hepatic impairment (7-11 hours) and elderly.
22-25 hours after removal of patch; increased in elderly, hepatic/renal impairment
Renal (90% as metabolites and unchanged drug; ~5% unchanged) and biliary/fecal (minor).
Renal (75% as metabolites, <10% unchanged), fecal (25%)
Category C
Category C
Opioid Analgesic
Opioid Analgesic