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Sufentanil
Pronunciation
U.S. Brand Names
Generic Available
Synonyms
Pharmacological Index
Use
Restrictions
Pregnancy Risk Factor
Contraindications
Warnings/Precautions
Adverse Reactions
Overdosage/Toxicology
Drug Interactions
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacodynamics/Kinetics
Usual Dosage
Administration
Mental Health: Effects on Mental Status
Mental Health: Effects on Psychiatric Treatment
Dental Health: Local Anesthetic/Vasoconstrictor Precautions
Dental Health: Effects on Dental Treatment
Patient Information
Nursing Implications
Dosage Forms
References

Pronunciation
(soo FEN ta nil)

U.S. Brand Names
Sufenta® Injection

Generic Available

No


Synonyms
Sufentanil Citrate

Pharmacological Index

Analgesic, Narcotic; General Anesthetic


Use

Analgesic supplement in maintenance of balanced general anesthesia


Restrictions

C-II


Pregnancy Risk Factor

C


Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to sufentanil or any component


Warnings/Precautions

Sufentanil can cause severely compromised respiratory depression; use with caution in patients with head injuries, hepatic or renal impairment or with pulmonary disease; sufentanil shares the toxic potential of opiate agonists, precaution of opiate agonist therapy should be observed; rapid I.V. infusion may result in skeletal muscle and chest wall rigidity impaired ventilation respiratory distress/arrest; inject slowly over 3-5 minutes; nondepolarizing skeletal muscle relaxant may be required


Adverse Reactions

>10%:

Cardiovascular: Bradycardia, hypotension

Central nervous system: Drowsiness

Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting

Respiratory: Respiratory depression

1% to 10%:

Cardiovascular: Cardiac arrhythmias, orthostatic hypotension

Central nervous system: Confusion, CNS depression

Gastrointestinal: Biliary tract spasm

Ocular: Blurred vision

<1%: Circulatory depression, convulsions, dysesthesia, paradoxical CNS excitation or delirium; mental depression, dizziness, rash, urticaria, itching, urinary tract spasm, laryngospasm, bronchospasm; cold, clammy skin; physical and psychological dependence with prolonged use


Overdosage/Toxicology

Naloxone 2 mg I.V. (0.01 mg/kg for children) with repeat administration as necessary up to a total of 10 mg; supportive care includes establishment of respiratory change; naloxone may be used to treat respiratory depression; muscular rigidity may also respond to opiate antagonist therapy or to neuromuscular blocking agents


Drug Interactions

CYP3A3/4 enzyme substrate


Mechanism of Action

Binds with stereospecific receptors at many sites within the CNS, increases pain threshold, alters pain reception, inhibits ascending pain pathways; ultra short-acting narcotic


Pharmacodynamics/Kinetics

Onset of action: 1-3 minutes

Duration: Dose dependent

Metabolism: Primarily by the liver


Usual Dosage

Children <12 years: 10-25 mcg/kg with 100% O2, maintenance: 25-50 mcg as needed

Adults: Dose should be based on body weight. Note: In obese patients (ie, >20% above ideal body weight), use lean body weight to determine dosage.

1-2 mcg/kg with N2O/O2 for endotracheal intubation; maintenance: 10-25 mcg as needed

2-8 mcg/kg with N2O/O2 more complicated major surgical procedures; maintenance: 10-50 mcg as needed

8-30 mcg/kg with 100% O2 and muscle relaxant produces sleep; at doses greater than or equal to 8 mcg/kg maintains a deep level of anesthesia; maintenance: 10-50 mcg as needed


Administration

Parenteral: I.V.: Slow I.V. injection or by infusion


Mental Health: Effects on Mental Status

Drowsiness is common; may cause confusion; may rarely cause delirium or depression


Mental Health: Effects on Psychiatric Treatment

Concurrent use with psychotropics may produce additive sedation


Dental Health: Local Anesthetic/Vasoconstrictor Precautions

No information available to require special precautions


Dental Health: Effects on Dental Treatment

No effects or complications reported


Patient Information

Do not drive for 24 hours after receiving this medication


Nursing Implications

Patient may develop rebound respiratory depression postoperatively


Dosage Forms

Injection, as citrate: 50 mcg/mL (1 mL, 2 mL, 5 mL)


References

Bovill JG, Sebel PS, Blackburn CL, et al, "The Pharmacokinetics of Sufentanil in Surgical Patients," Anesthesiology, 1984, 61(5):502-6.

Bowdle TA, "Myoclonus Following Sufentanil Without EEG Seizure Activity," Anesthesiology, 1987, 67(4):593-5.

Guay J, Gaudreault P, Tang A, et al, "Pharmacokinetics of Sufentanil in Normal Children," Can J Anaesth, 1992, 39(1):14-20.

Gust R and Böhrer H, "Stiff-Man Syndrome Associated With Continuous Sufentanil Administration," Anaesthesia, 1995, 50(6):575.

Rosow CE, "Sufentanil Citrate: A New Opioid Analgesic for Use in Anaesthesia," Pharmacotherapy, 1984, 4(1):11-9.

Scholz J, Steinfath M, and Schulz M, "Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Alfentanil, Fentanyl, and Sufentanil. An Update," Clin Pharmacokinet, 1996, 31(4):275-92.

Seguin JH, Erenberg A, and Leff RD, "Safety and Efficacy of Sufentanil Therapy in the Ventilated Infant," Neonatal Netw, 1994, 13(4):37-40.


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