Durogesic® D-TRANS®, nouveau système de délivrance du fentanyl par matrice : les progrès d'une nouvelle technologie

Fentanyl is a major opioid antalgesic which acts as a pure selective agonist of mu opioid receptors. It is 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine. Fenantyl has been administered percutaneously for ten years with Durogesic® (reservoir system). A new matrix delivery system, Durogesic® D-TRANS® has been recently developed. The active substance is incorporated directly into the adhesive matrix (Drug-in-Adhesive Matrix Technology). This new formulation has a similar dose-proportional pharmacokinetic profile. The established efficacy and tolerance of Durogesic® are also applicable to this new delivery system. However, because it is composed of fewer layers than the reservoir system, the new system is smaller, thinner and more discrete. It is flexible, easy to apply and more comfortable. Studies conducted with this new delivery system have shown a two-fold improvement in adherence compared with the former patch. Adherence is also age-independent and is not affected by the style of skin or the site of application. There have been no cases of skin sensitization or phototoxicity. A steady-state is obtained from the second application. These features, associated with the demonstrated efficacy of fentanyl, could contribute to improved care for patients with chronic pain.