Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: LEVO DROMORAN versus OPANA ER.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: LEVO DROMORAN versus OPANA ER.
LEVO-DROMORAN vs OPANA ER
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Levo-dromoran (levorphanol) is a potent opioid agonist primarily at mu-opioid receptors, with additional agonist activity at kappa and delta opioid receptors. It also acts as an NMDA receptor antagonist and inhibits serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake, contributing to its analgesic effects.
Opana ER (oxymorphone hydrochloride) is a full opioid agonist with relative selectivity for the mu-opioid receptor, although it can interact with other opioid receptors at higher doses. The principal therapeutic action is analgesia via activation of mu-opioid receptors in the central nervous system, leading to altered perception and response to pain.
2 mg orally every 6-8 hours as needed for pain; 2-4 mg intramuscularly or subcutaneously every 6-8 hours; intravenous administration: 1-2 mg slowly (over 2-3 minutes) every 6-8 hours.
Initial: 5 mg orally every 12 hours; titrate by 5-10 mg every 12 hours every 3-7 days; maximum 40 mg every 12 hours.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life is 15-30 hours (mean 22 hours) in adults; prolonged in hepatic or renal impairment, requiring dose adjustment.
Terminal elimination half-life: 11.1–13.8 hours; clinically relevant as steady-state achieved in 2–3 days
Primarily renal (approximately 60% as unchanged drug and metabolites); biliary/fecal elimination accounts for about 30%.
Renal (primarily as glucuronide conjugates and unchanged drug): 85-90%; Fecal: <10%
Category C
Category C
Opioid Analgesic
Opioid Analgesic