Sufentanil | The JHI

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Sufentanil

Found in:  

Fentanyl

Type/Reason added:  

Fentanyl Analog

Relative Potency:  

5-10 times stronger than fentanyl (12)

Overview

The Effects

Treatment Options

Description and Classification

Sufentanil:

A potent synthetic opioid analgesic, it is classified as a μ-opioid receptor agonist, it belongs to the fentanyl family of opioids, it has a high affinity for opioid receptors, producing profound analgesia and sedation, it is used primarily in anesthesia and critical care settings due to its extreme potency.

Relative Potency

Potency:

Sufentanil is 5 to 10 times more potent than fentanyl, it is approximately 500 to 1,000 times more potent than morphine, it produces intense analgesic effects at very low doses, it is among the most potent opioids used in clinical practice.

Why It Is Added

Purpose

Sufentanil is used medically for anesthesia induction and maintenance, it is used for pain control in intensive care settings, it is sometimes used for severe acute pain via sublingual tablets, it is rarely used outside hospital settings due to its high potency, illicit use is uncommon but poses a high risk of overdose.