Transdermal fentanyl matrix patches Matrifen and Durogesic DTrans are bioequivalent

Hans G Kress, Hildegard Boss, Thomas Delvin, Gezim Lahu, Søren Lophaven, Michael Marx, Sophie Skorjanec, Thomas Wagner

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Aim: The pharmacokinetic profiles of the two commercially available transdermal fentanyl patches Matrifen® (100μg/h) and Durogesic® DTrans® (100μg/h), used to manage severe chronic pain, were compared regarding their systemic exposure, rate of absorption, and safety. Methods: Transdermal matrix fentanyl patches [Matrifen® or Durogesic® DTrans® (100μg/h)] were applied for 72. h to 30 healthy male subjects in a randomized, four-period (two replicated treatment sequences), crossover study; 28 subjects completed the study. The pharmacokinetic parameters of fentanyl were determined for 144. h after application using plasma samples. Safety of the patches (adverse events) and performance (adhesion, skin irritation, residual fentanyl content in the patch) were evaluated. Results: The plasma concentration-time curves of Matrifen® (Test) and Durogesic® DTrans® (Reference) were similar. The geometric least square means of the Test/Reference ratio (90% confidence intervals [CI]) were within the range of 80-125%, demonstrating bioequivalence of Matrifen® and Durogesic® DTrans®: AUC0-tlast 92.5 (CI 88.7-96.4), AUC0-inf 91.7 (CI 88.0-95.7), and Cmax 98.3 (CI 92.9-104.1). After 72h application, Matrifen® had a more efficient utilization of fentanyl (mean±SD 82.3±9.43%) than Durogesic® DTrans® (52.3±12.8%), with substantially lower residual fentanyl in patch after use. The pharmacokinetic parameters showed lower intra- and inter-subject variability for Matrifen® than for Durogesic® DTrans® patch. Conclusions: Despite different technologies, the transdermal fentanyl patches Matrifen® and Durogesic® DTrans® are bioequivalent. Compared with Durogesic® DTrans®, the Matrifen® patch had lower initial and lower residual fentanyl content, as well as lower intra- and inter-subject variability, allowing reproducible drug delivery and reliable analgesia.

Original languageEnglish
JournalEuropean Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics
Volume75
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)225-231
Number of pages7
ISSN0939-6411
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2010

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