Saturday November 15, 2008
Short note on short acting opioids

Sufentanyl, Fentanyl, Alfentanyl and Remifentanyl have gained popularity as preferred analgesics for critically ill patients. These are not associated with hemodynamic changes and can be given to patient with morphine intolerance or allergies. Fentanyl is about 100 times more potent that morphine. The onset of actions is rapid and duration is short. The usual intermittent doses do not need to be adjusted for renal or hepatic failure, however these drugs are metabolized by liver and continuous infusion and large doses can accumulate specially in patients with liver failure. The metabolites are largely inactive.

Remifentanyl is ultrashort acting opiate. Please see review article

The place for short-acting opioids: special emphasis on remifentanil
- Reference: Critical Care 2008, 12(Suppl 3):S5



Reference: click to get article / abstract

Agents for sedation and analgesia in the intensive care unit - Ann Fr Anesth Reanim. 2008 Jul-Aug;27(7-8):560-6. Epub 2008 Jul 1