Remifentanil (Ultiva)
Indications
Pain
- Acute Procedure-Associated Pain
- Maintenance of Analgesia in the Intensive Care Unit Setting
Sedation
- Maintenance of Sedation in the Intensive Care Unit Setting (see Sedation, [[Sedation]]): most studies were in surgical patients
Pharmacology
- Opiate (see Opiates, [[Opiates]])
- μ-Opioid Receptor Agonist: main mechanism of action
- κOpioid Receptor Agonist: to some extent
- Properties
- Analgesic Effect
- No Effect on Intracranial Pressure
- No Effect on Seizure Threshold
Pharmacokinetics
- Onset: 3-10 min
- Half-Life: 3-4 min
Metabolism
- Plasma Esterases
- Metabolism is Not Affected by Hepatic/Renal Dysfunction
- Drug Does Not Accumulate with Prolonged Infusion
Administration
- IV (Load): 0.4-0.8 μg/kg
- IV (Maintenance): 0.5-2.0 μg/kg/min
Dose Adjustment
Adverse Effects
Cardiovascular Adverse Effects
Gastrointestinal Adverse Effects
Pulmonary Adverse Effects
References