Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DURADYNE DHC versus IONSYS.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DURADYNE DHC versus IONSYS.
DURADYNE DHC vs IONSYS
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
DURADYNE DHC contains dihydrocodeine, an opioid agonist that binds to mu-opioid receptors in the CNS, inhibiting ascending pain pathways and altering pain perception and response.
IONSYS is an iontophoretic delivery system for fentanyl, a mu-opioid receptor agonist. Fentanyl binds to mu-opioid receptors in the CNS, inhibiting ascending pain pathways and altering pain perception and emotional response.
1 tablet (10 mg hydrocodone/300 mg acetaminophen) orally every 4-6 hours as needed for pain; maximum 8 tablets per day.
Apply one 40 mcg fentanyl iontophoretic transdermal system to skin on upper arm or chest; delivers 40 mcg per dose on-demand for up to 24 hours or 80 doses, whichever is shorter. Maximum 2 doses per hour, 6 doses per application. Patient must be opioid-tolerant.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life of dihydrocodeine is approximately 4 hours; clinically relevant for dosing interval of 4-6 hours.
Terminal elimination half-life: 16.3 ± 9.1 hours for fentanyl released from IONSYS; accounts for prolonged release from depot and is longer than intravenous fentanyl (3-12 hours).
Primarily renal excretion of metabolites; ~90% excreted in urine as glucuronide conjugates and morphine; ~10% in feces via bile.
Renal: approximately 90% as fentanyl metabolites (mainly norfentanyl) and less than 10% as unchanged drug; fecal: less than 10%.
Category C
Category C
Opioid Analgesic
Opioid Analgesic