Alfentanil (Alfenta)
Indications
Pharmacology
Pharmacokinetics
- Onset: 5 min
- Half-Life: 90-111 min
- Duration of Action: 30-60 min
Metabolism
Administration
Dose Adjustment
Adverse Effects
Neurologic Adverse Effects
Tonic Muscle Rigidity [MEDLINE]
- Epidemiology: may also been seen with fentanyl, sufentanil, and morphine
- Clinical: may involve chest and abdominal wall
- Decreased Compliance/Increased Peak Inspiratory Pressures (PIP) on Mechanical Ventilation (see Ventilator Troubleshooting, [[Ventilator Troubleshooting]])
- Treatment
- Naloxone (Narcan) (see Naloxone, [[Naloxone]]): may be used in cases where reversal of the effect of the opiate would not be detrimental
- Pharmacologic Paralysis: may be required in cases where reversal of the effect of the opiate would be deterimental
Other Adverse Effects
References
- Postoperative myoclonus and rigidity after anesthesia with opioids. Anesth Analg 1994; 78:783-786 [MEDLINE]