Sufentanil

DEA Class; Rx

Common Brand Names; Sufenta

May open K+ channels and inhibit Ca++ channels, causing an increase in pain threshold and alteration in pain perception. It also inhibits ascending pain pathways

Hypersensitivity to drug or excipients

Nausea

Vomiting

Constipation

Sweating, flushing, warmness of the face/neck/upper thorax

Pruritus, urticaria

Bradycardia

Dizziness

Visual disturbances

Mentalclouding/depression

Sedation

Coma

Euphoria/Dysphoria

Weakness

Faintness

Agitation

Restlessness

Nervousness

Seizures

Use caution in bradycardia, compromised cardiac reserve, head injury, hypothyroidism, increased intracranial pressure, intracranial lesions, renal function impairment, respiratory impairment

In patients who may be susceptible to intracranial effects of CO₂ retention (eg, those with evidence of increased intracranial pressure or brain tumors), therapy may reduce respiratory drive, and resultant CO₂ retention can further increase intracranial pressure; monitor such patients for signs of sedation and respiratory depression, particularly when initiating therapy; opioids may obscure clinical course in a patient with a head injury; avoid the use in patients with impaired consciousness or coma

May cause spasm of sphincter of Oddi; opioids may cause increases in serum amylase; monitor patients with biliary tract disease, including acute pancreatitis, for worsening symptoms

Therapy may increase frequency of seizures in patients with seizure disorders and in other clinical settings associated with seizures; monitor patients for worsened seizure control during therapy

Therapy may impair mental or physical abilities needed to perform potentially hazardous activities such as driving a car or operating machinery; warn patients not to drive or operate dangerous machinery after receiving therapy

Life-threatening respiratory depression is more likely to occur in elderly, cachectic, or debilitated patients because they may have altered pharmacokinetics or altered clearance compared to younger, healthier patients; monitor closely

Prolonged use of opioid analgesics during pregnancy may cause neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome; available data in pregnant women are insufficient to inform a drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage

The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with mother’s clinical need for therapy; capsules and any potential adverse effects on breastfed infant from therapy or from underlying maternal condition