Sufentanil citrate

Sufentanil Citrate is a synthetic opioid analgesic drug that is primarily used in the fields of anesthesia and pain management. It is approximately 5 to 10 times more potent than its parent drug, fentanyl, and 500 times as potent as morphine.

Pharmacology

Sufentanil Citrate interacts predominantly with the mu-opioid receptor. These mu-binding sites are discretely distributed in the human brain, with high densities in the posterior amygdala, hypothalamus, thalamus, nucleus caudatus, putamen, and certain cortical areas. They are also found on the terminal axons of primary afferents within laminae I and II (substantia gelatinosa) of the spinal cord and in the spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve.

Medical Uses

Sufentanil Citrate is used clinically for procedures requiring analgesia, such as cardiovascular surgery and spinal anesthesia. It is also used as an adjunct in the maintenance of general anesthesia. Due to its high potency and ability to cross the blood-brain barrier rapidly, Sufentanil Citrate is also used in the treatment of chronic pain in patients who are physically tolerant to other opioids.

Side Effects

Like other opioids, side effects of Sufentanil Citrate can include itching, nausea, and respiratory depression. Because of its high potency, the risk of overdose is significant, particularly if it is used in conjunction with other central nervous system depressants.

Regulation

In the United States, Sufentanil Citrate is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), indicating that it has a high potential for abuse and dependence.

See Also

• Opioid
• Fentanyl
• Morphine
• Anesthesia
• Pain management