Sufentanil Citrate Injection is an opioid agonist indicated:
• as an analgesic adjunct in the maintenance of balanced general anesthesia in patients who are intubated and ventilated.
• as a primary anesthetic agent for the induction and maintenance of anesthesia with 100% oxygen in patients
undergoing major surgical procedures, in patients who are intubated and ventilated, such as cardiovascular surgery or neurosurgical procedures in the sitting position, to provide favorable myocardial and cerebral oxygen balance or when extended postoperative ventilation is anticipated.
• for epidural administration as an analgesic combined with low dose (usually 12.5 mg per administration) bupivacaine usually during labor and vaginal delivery.
- Most common adverse reactions were apnea, rigidity, and bradycardia.
• Concomitant Use of CNS Depressants: May decrease pulmonary arterial pressure and may cause hypotension. See FPI for management instructions. For post-operative pain, start with the lowest effective dosage and monitor for potentiation of CNS depressant effects.
• Mixed Agonist/Antagonist and Partial Agonist Opioid Analgesics: Avoid use with Sufentanil Citrate Injection
because they may reduce analgesic effect of Sufentanil Citrate Injection or precipitate withdrawal symptoms.
• Risks of Skeletal Muscle Rigidity and Skeletal Muscle Movement: Manage with neuromuscular blocking agent. See full prescribing information for more detail on managing these
risks.
• Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression in Patients with Chronic Pulmonary Disease or in Elderly, Cachectic, or
• Debilitated Patients: Monitor closely, particularly during initiation and titration.
• Severe Cardiovascular Depression: Monitor during dosage initiation and titration.
• Serotonin Syndrome: Potentially life-threatening condition could result from concomitant serotonergic drug
administration. Discontinue Sufentanil Citrate Injection if
serotonin syndrome is suspected.
• Risks of Use in Patients with Increased Intracranial Pressure, Brain Tumors, or Head Injury: Monitor for sedation and respiratory depression.
