Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DURAGESIC 75 versus NUMORPHAN.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DURAGESIC 75 versus NUMORPHAN.
DURAGESIC-75 vs NUMORPHAN
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Fentanyl is a potent opioid agonist primarily at the mu-opioid receptor, exerting its analgesic effects by mimicking endogenous endorphins and enkephalins to activate G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium channels, leading to hyperpolarization and reduced neuronal excitability in pain pathways.
Opioid agonist; binds to mu-opioid receptors in the CNS, inhibiting ascending pain pathways and altering pain perception.
Adults: Apply one 75 mcg/hr transdermal patch every 72 hours. Start with lower dose in opioid-naive patients.
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
22-25 hours after removal of patch; increased in elderly, hepatic/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 (25%)
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