Difference between revisions of "Sufentanil"

Revision as of 02:19, 23 September 2010

Sufentanil (Brand Name; Sufenta) is a powerful synthetic opioid analgesic drug, approximately 5 to 10 times more potent than its analog, Fentanyl. Sufentanil is marketed for use by specialist centres under different trade names, such as Sufenta and Sufentil (India, by Claris Lifesciences Ltd.). Sufentanil was synthesised at Janssen Pharmaceutica in 1974.

Uses

The main use of this medication is in operating suites and critical care where pain relief is required for a short period of time. It also offers properties of sedation and this makes it a good analgesic component of anaesthetic regimen during an operation. It is usually administered under the doctor's order through an intravenous route. In some countries sufentanil is only indicated for epidural use. Despite this, it is often used off-label both intravenously and intranasally. A transdermal sufentanil patch called Transdur-sufentanil is about to enter Stage III clinical trials by Durect Corp for the relief of chronic pain, and has the advantage over fentanyl patches such as Duragesic of only needing to be applied once per week.

Side effects

It is essential for the administering doctor to be trained in airway management with readily available airway equipment because the drug causes significant respiratory depression and may cause respiratory arrest if given too rapidly or in too high a dose. Other opioid side effects such as heart rhythm irregularity, blood pressure changes and nausea/vomiting can also be present in patients given this drug and should be dealt with accordingly by the doctor or anesthetist.

External links

de:Sufentanil fr:Sufentanil it:Sufentanil pl:Sufentanyl pt:Sufentanila ro:Sufentanil sv:Sufentanil th:ซูเฟนทานิล

Cultural References:

The 2002 CSI (Las Vegas) episode "Fight Night" references the drug "Sufentanil". Upon a toxicology report, it is found that the death of a young boxer is related to the drug.