Sufentanil

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Sufentanil
Systematic (IUPAC) name
N-[4-(methoxymethyl)-1-(2-thiophen-2-ylethyl) -4-piperidyl]-N-phenyl-propanamide
Identifiers
CAS number 56030-54-7
ATC code N01AH03
PubChem 41693
DrugBank APRD00671
Chemical data
Formula C22H30N2O2S 
Mol. mass 386.552 g/mol
Physical data
Melt. point 97 °C (207 °F)
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability  ?
Metabolism  ?
Half life 265 minutes
Excretion  ?
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.

?

Legal status

Class A(UK) Schedule II(US)

Routes Injection

Sufentanil is a synthetic opioid analgesic drug approximately 5 to 10 times more potent than 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 discovered at Janssen Pharmaceutica.

Contents

[edit] 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 currently in Stage I clinical trials by ENDO pharmaceuticals 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.

[edit] 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 much too rapidly. 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.

[edit] Recreational use

Although rare, sufentanil is sometimes encountered on the black market. Its increased potency compared to fentanil makes it a more attractive product than fentanyl for clandestine chemists as well as drug users. In the United States, it is typically sold in powder form, often combined with cocaine, essentially a speedball prepared in advance; it is usually injected but may be insufflated as well.

Like all fentanyl derivatives, sufentanil is a controlled substance (Schedule II in the United States)

[edit] External links