Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DEMEROL versus ULTRAM.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DEMEROL versus ULTRAM.
DEMEROL vs ULTRAM
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.
Tramadol is a centrally acting synthetic opioid analgesic that binds to μ-opioid receptors and inhibits norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake.
50-150 mg IM, IV, or SC every 3-4 hours as needed for pain; oral 50-150 mg every 3-4 hours.
50-100 mg orally every 4-6 hours as needed for pain; maximum 400 mg/day (for extended-release: 100 mg once daily, titrated up to 300 mg once daily).
None Documented
None Documented
2.5-4 hours; prolonged in hepatic impairment (7-11 hours) and elderly.
Tramadol: ~6 hours; M1 metabolite (O-desmethyltramadol): ~7 hours; prolonged in renal/hepatic impairment
Renal (90% as metabolites and unchanged drug; ~5% unchanged) and biliary/fecal (minor).
Renal: ~90% (tramadol and metabolites; conjugated metabolites are major), Fecal: ~10%
Category C
Category C
Opioid Analgesic
Opioid Analgesic