Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DEMEROL versus OPANA ER.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DEMEROL versus OPANA ER.
DEMEROL vs OPANA ER
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.
Opana ER (oxymorphone hydrochloride) is a full opioid agonist with relative selectivity for the mu-opioid receptor, although it can interact with other opioid receptors at higher doses. The principal therapeutic action is analgesia via activation of mu-opioid receptors in the central nervous system, leading to altered perception and 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.
Initial: 5 mg orally every 12 hours; titrate by 5-10 mg every 12 hours every 3-7 days; maximum 40 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: 11.1–13.8 hours; clinically relevant as steady-state achieved in 2–3 days
Renal (90% as metabolites and unchanged drug; ~5% unchanged) and biliary/fecal (minor).
Renal (primarily as glucuronide conjugates and unchanged drug): 85-90%; Fecal: <10%
Category C
Category C
Opioid Analgesic
Opioid Analgesic