Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DEMEROL versus ROXICODONE.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DEMEROL versus ROXICODONE.
DEMEROL vs ROXICODONE
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.
Oxycodone is a full opioid agonist with high affinity for mu-opioid receptors, also binding to kappa and delta receptors. It acts primarily on the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract.
50-150 mg IM, IV, or SC every 3-4 hours as needed for pain; oral 50-150 mg every 3-4 hours.
5-15 mg orally every 4-6 hours as needed for pain; immediate-release formulation. Maximum 60 mg total daily dose for opioid-naive patients.
None Documented
None Documented
2.5-4 hours; prolonged in hepatic impairment (7-11 hours) and elderly.
3.5-5 hours for immediate-release; 4.5-5.5 hours for extended-release. Accumulation may occur with repeated dosing, especially in elderly or hepatic impairment.
Renal (90% as metabolites and unchanged drug; ~5% unchanged) and biliary/fecal (minor).
Renal excretion: 70-80% as unchanged drug and metabolites (oxymorphone, noroxycodone); fecal: 10-20%.
Category C
Category C
Opioid Analgesic
Opioid Analgesic