Exhibit 23.1


              CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8) 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 of DURECT Corporation of our report dated February 9, 2001, with
respect to the financial statements and schedule of DURECT Corporation included
in its Annual Report on Form 10-K (No.000-31615) filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.

                                         /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Palo Alto, California
May 11, 2001