Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DEMEROL versus STADOL PRESERVATIVE FREE.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DEMEROL versus STADOL PRESERVATIVE FREE.
DEMEROL vs STADOL PRESERVATIVE FREE
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.
Butorphanol is a synthetic agonist-antagonist opioid analgesic that exerts its effects primarily through binding to kappa-opioid receptors and, to a lesser extent, mu-opioid receptors, producing analgesia and sedation. It also has partial antagonist activity at mu receptors.
50-150 mg IM, IV, or SC every 3-4 hours as needed for pain; oral 50-150 mg every 3-4 hours.
0.5–2 mg intravenously or intramuscularly every 3–4 hours as needed for pain. Alternatively, 1–2 mg as a single dose, may repeat in 30–60 minutes if needed.
None Documented
None Documented
2.5-4 hours; prolonged in hepatic impairment (7-11 hours) and elderly.
Terminal elimination half-life is 2.5–3.3 hours in adults; prolonged to 4–6 hours in elderly or hepatic impairment.
Renal (90% as metabolites and unchanged drug; ~5% unchanged) and biliary/fecal (minor).
Primarily hepatic metabolism (glucuronidation) to inactive metabolites; renal excretion accounts for <5% unchanged drug. Approximately 70% of dose excreted in urine as metabolites, 20% in feces.
Category C
Category C
Opioid Analgesic
Opioid Analgesic