Alfentanil
Encyclopedia
Alfentanil is a potent but short-acting synthetic opioid
analgesic
drug
, used for anaesthesia in surgery
. It is an analogue of fentanyl with around 1/4 the potency of fentanyl and around 1/3 of the duration of action, but with an onset of effects 4x faster than fentanyl. It is an OP3 mu-agonist.
While alfentanil tends to cause less cardiovascular complications than other similar drugs such as fentanyl and remifentanil
it tends to give stronger respiratory depression and so requires careful monitoring of breathing and vital signs. Alfentanil is administered by the parenteral
(injected) route for fast onset of effects and precise control of dosage.
Alfentanil is a restricted drug which is classified as Schedule II in the USA, according to the U.S. DEA website.
Alfentanil was discovered at Janssen Pharmaceutica
in 1976.
Opioid
An opioid is a psychoactive chemical that works by binding to opioid receptors, which are found principally in the central and peripheral nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract...
analgesic
Analgesic
An analgesic is any member of the group of drugs used to relieve pain . The word analgesic derives from Greek an- and algos ....
drug
Medication
A pharmaceutical drug, also referred to as medicine, medication or medicament, can be loosely defined as any chemical substance intended for use in the medical diagnosis, cure, treatment, or prevention of disease.- Classification :...
, used for anaesthesia in surgery
Surgery
Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
. It is an analogue of fentanyl with around 1/4 the potency of fentanyl and around 1/3 of the duration of action, but with an onset of effects 4x faster than fentanyl. It is an OP3 mu-agonist.
While alfentanil tends to cause less cardiovascular complications than other similar drugs such as fentanyl and remifentanil
Remifentanil
Remifentanil is a potent ultra short-acting synthetic opioid analgesic drug. It is given to patients during surgery to relieve pain and as an adjunct to an anaesthetic. Remifentanil is used for sedation as well as combined with other medications for use in general anesthesia...
it tends to give stronger respiratory depression and so requires careful monitoring of breathing and vital signs. Alfentanil is administered by the parenteral
Parenteral
Parenteral is a route of administration that involves piercing the skin or mucous membrane. Parenteral nutrition refers to providing nutrition via the veins.-Etymology:...
(injected) route for fast onset of effects and precise control of dosage.
Alfentanil is a restricted drug which is classified as Schedule II in the USA, according to the U.S. DEA website.
Alfentanil was discovered at Janssen Pharmaceutica
Janssen Pharmaceutica
Janssen Pharmaceutica is pharmaceutical company, established in Belgium in 1953 by Paul Janssen. Its headquarters are located in Beerse, in the Campine region of the province of Antwerp, Belgium. It was created not as a subsidiary of a chemical factory but solely with the aim of conducting...
in 1976.