Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DURAGESIC 25 versus PROPOXYPHENE HYDROCHLORIDE.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DURAGESIC 25 versus PROPOXYPHENE HYDROCHLORIDE.
DURAGESIC-25 vs PROPOXYPHENE HYDROCHLORIDE
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.
Propoxyphene hydrochloride is a centrally acting opioid analgesic that binds to mu-opioid receptors in the central nervous system, inhibiting ascending pain pathways and altering perception of and response to pain.
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.
65 mg orally every 4 hours as needed for pain; maximum 390 mg per 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
6–12 hours (parent drug); norpropoxyphene metabolite half-life 30–36 hours, accumulates with repeated dosing, increasing risk of toxicity, especially in elderly or renal impairment.
Renal (75% as metabolites, <10% unchanged); fecal (9%)
Primarily renal (70-90% as unchanged drug and metabolites, including norpropoxyphene); biliary/fecal excretion accounts for less than 10%.
Category C
Category C
Opioid Analgesic
Opioid Analgesic