is demerol stronger than morphine​

No, Demerol (meperidine) is not stronger than morphine. In fact, morphine is generally considered more potent and more effective for pain relief, especially for ongoing or severe pain.

Here’s a quick comparison to help you understand why:

⚖️ 1. Potency

• Morphine is the standard by which other opioids are measured.

• Demerol (meperidine) is less potent — it takes a larger dose to achieve the same pain relief as a smaller dose of morphine.

Roughly speaking, 75–100 mg of Demerol = about 10 mg of morphine for pain control (though exact conversions depend on the patient and situation).

🧠 2. Duration of Action

• Morphine: lasts about 4–6 hours, with a steady, predictable effect.

• Demerol: shorter-acting, usually 2–4 hours, so it wears off faster.

⚠️ 3. Safety and Side Effects

Demerol has a major drawback — when used repeatedly or in high doses, it breaks down into a toxic metabolite (normeperidine) that can cause seizures, confusion, or tremors, especially in older adults or those with kidney issues.

Because of this, doctors rarely use Demerol for chronic pain today. Morphine (and other opioids like hydromorphone or oxycodone) are preferred for long-term pain control.

💬 4. When Demerol Might Still Be Used

• Occasionally given for short-term pain (like post-surgery or in labor, though even that is less common now).

• Sometimes used in patients allergic to morphine or similar opioids (though true allergies are rare).

✅ Summary

Would you like me to explain why morphine’s chemical structure makes it more potent than Demerol? It’s a neat little pharmacology insight.