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Understanding Anesthesiology - The Global Regional Anesthesia ...

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ALFENTANIL<br />

Class<br />

Synthetic opioid analgesic (short-acting); adjunct to anesthesia.<br />

Mechanism of Action<br />

Acts at the mu-and kappa opioid receptors.<br />

Dose<br />

5-50 ug/kg IV, according to physical status, other<br />

agents used, nature and duration of surgery.<br />

Respiratory<br />

Potent respiratory depression which at the extreme,<br />

leads to apnea.<br />

GI<br />

Nausea, vomiting, biliary tract spasm.<br />

Misc.<br />

Muscle rigidity, pruritis.<br />

Onset<br />

1-2 minutes<br />

Duration<br />

20 minutes<br />

Elimination<br />

Hepatic<br />

Effects<br />

CNS<br />

Analgesia, sedation. All of the depressant effects of alfentanil<br />

are potentiated by concurrent use of sedatives,<br />

volatile anesthetics and nitrous oxide.<br />

CVS<br />

Bradycardia, hypotension. <strong>The</strong> synthetic opioids are<br />

not direct myocardial depressants but they do reduce<br />

sympathetic drive, which may result in decreased cardiac<br />

output in patients who are relying on sympathetic<br />

tone to support their circulation, such as those in hypovolemic<br />

or cardiogenic shock.<br />

107

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