Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DEMEROL versus MS CONTIN.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DEMEROL versus MS CONTIN.
DEMEROL vs MS CONTIN
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.
Mu-opioid receptor agonist; binds to mu-opioid receptors in the CNS, modulating pain perception and emotional response to pain.
50-150 mg IM, IV, or SC every 3-4 hours as needed for pain; oral 50-150 mg every 3-4 hours.
Oral: 15-30 mg every 8-12 hours; adjust based on pain severity and prior opioid use. Extended-release tablets must be swallowed whole; do not crush or chew. For opioid-naïve patients, start at 15 mg every 12 hours.
None Documented
None Documented
2.5-4 hours; prolonged in hepatic impairment (7-11 hours) and elderly.
Terminal elimination half-life: 11-13 hours (range 8-24 hours). In elderly or hepatic impairment, half-life may be prolonged; acute dosing half-life ~2-4 hours.
Renal (90% as metabolites and unchanged drug; ~5% unchanged) and biliary/fecal (minor).
Renal: ~90% (mostly as morphine-3-glucuronide and morphine-6-glucuronide, with ~10% as unchanged morphine); Fecal: <10%
Category C
Category C
Opioid Analgesic
Opioid Analgesic