Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DURAGESIC 25 versus NUMORPHAN.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DURAGESIC 25 versus NUMORPHAN.
DURAGESIC-25 vs NUMORPHAN
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Fentanyl is a mu-opioid receptor agonist that produces analgesia and sedation by mimicking endogenous opioids in the central nervous system.
Opioid agonist; binds to mu-opioid receptors in the CNS, inhibiting ascending pain pathways and altering pain perception.
Apply 25 mcg/hour transdermally every 72 hours; initial dose in opioid-naive patients: 25 mcg/hour is not recommended; use lower strength or immediate-release opioid first.
Intravenous or subcutaneous: 0.5-2 mg (0.1-0.2 mg/kg for severe pain) every 2-3 hours as needed; not to exceed 20 mg/day.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life 22-25 hours (range 13-31 h) after 72-h transdermal application; prolonged in elderly, hepatic or renal impairment
Terminal elimination half-life is 2–3 hours in adults; prolonged to 3–4 hours in elderly and up to 15 hours in patients with severe hepatic impairment.
Renal (75% as metabolites, <10% unchanged); fecal (9%)
Primarily renal (approximately 70% as unchanged drug, <5% as noroxymorphone and other conjugates); biliary/fecal excretion accounts for ~20%.
Category C
Category C
Opioid Analgesic
Opioid Analgesic