Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to
the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements:



| | (1) | Registration Statements (Form S-8 Nos. 333-126990 and 333-98939) pertaining to the DURECT Corporation 2000 Directors Stock Option Plan
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| | (2) | Registration Statements (Form S-8 Nos. 333-166700, 333-161025, 333-152968, 333-124701 and 333-86110) pertaining to the DURECT Corporation 2000 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan and the DURECT Corporation 2000 Stock Plan
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| | (3) | Registration Statements (Form S-8 Nos. 333-120405 and 333-108390) pertaining to the DURECT Corporation 2000 Stock Plan
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| | (4) | Registration Statements (Form S-8 No. 333-170349) pertaining to the DURECT Corporation 2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
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| | (5) | Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-47400) pertaining to the DURECT Corporation 2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the DURECT Corporation 1998 Stock Option
Plan, the DURECT Corporation 2000 Stock Plan and the DURECT Corporation 2000 Directors Stock Option Plan
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| | (6) | Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-61224) pertaining to the DURECT Corporation 2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the DURECT Corporation 2000 Stock Plan, the
Southern BioSystems, Inc. 1993 Stock Option Plan and the Southern Research Technologies, Inc. 1995 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan
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| | (7) | Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-76622) pertaining to the Southern BioSystems, Inc. 1993 Stock Option Plan and the Southern Research Technologies, Inc.
1995 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan
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| | (8) | Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-128979) of DURECT Corporation
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| | (9) | Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-108398) of DURECT Corporation
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| | (10) | Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-108396) of DURECT Corporation
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| | (11) | Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-155042) of DURECT Corporation
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of our reports dated March 3, 2011, with respect to the financial statements and schedule of DURECT Corporation, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of
DURECT Corporation included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2010.

/S/    ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Palo Alto, California

March 3, 2011