Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DEMEROL versus OXYMORPHONE HYDROCHLORIDE.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DEMEROL versus OXYMORPHONE HYDROCHLORIDE.
DEMEROL vs OXYMORPHONE HYDROCHLORIDE
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.
Oxymorphone is a semi-synthetic opioid agonist that binds to mu-opioid receptors in the central nervous system, inhibiting ascending pain pathways and altering pain perception and response. It also has affinity for kappa and delta opioid receptors.
50-150 mg IM, IV, or SC every 3-4 hours as needed for pain; oral 50-150 mg every 3-4 hours.
Initial: 1 mg IV/IM every 3-4 hours as needed for moderate to severe pain; titrate to effect. For patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), 0.5 mg IV loading dose, then 0.25-0.5 mg every 6-15 minutes with lockout. Rectal suppository: 5 mg every 4-6 hours.
None Documented
None Documented
2.5-4 hours; prolonged in hepatic impairment (7-11 hours) and elderly.
Terminal elimination half-life: 7-9 hours (range 4-12 h in elderly/renal impairment). Clinically, steady-state achieved within 24-36 hours.
Renal (90% as metabolites and unchanged drug; ~5% unchanged) and biliary/fecal (minor).
Primarily renal (90% as parent drug and metabolites); <1% fecal. Unchanged oxymorphone accounts for ~30% of urinary recovery.
Category C
Category C
Opioid Analgesic
Opioid Analgesic