Sufentanil (Sublingual)
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 21, 2021.
Accidental exposure to or ingestion of sufentanil sublingual tablets, especially in children, can result in respiratory depression and death. Because of the potential for life-threatening respiratory depression due to accidental exposure, sufentanil sublingual tablets are only available through a restricted program called the Dsuvia REMS Program. Sufentanil sublingual tablets must only be dispensed to patients in a certified medically supervised healthcare setting. Discontinue use of sufentanil sublingual tablets prior to discharge or transfer from the certified medically supervised healthcare setting.Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with the use of sufentanil sublingual tablets. Monitor for respiratory depression, especially during initiation of sufentanil sublingual tablets.Sufentanil sublingual tablets exposes patients and other users to the risks of opioid addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death. Assess each patient's risk prior to prescribing sufentanil sublingual tablets, and monitor all patients regularly for the development of these behaviors or conditions.Concomitant use with CYP3A4 inhibitors (or discontinuation of CYP3A4 inducers) can result in a fatal overdose of sufentanil.Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required. Follow patients for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation .
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Dsuvia
Available Dosage Forms:
- Tablet
Therapeutic Class: Analgesic
Chemical Class: Opioid
Uses for sufentanil
Sufentanil sublingual tablet is used to relieve pain severe enough to require opioid treatment and when other pain medicines did not work well enough or cannot be tolerated. Sufentanil should only be used for up to 72 hours. Sufentanil belongs to the group of medicines called narcotic analgesics (pain medicines) that act on the central nervous system (CNS) to relieve pain.
When sufentanil is used for a long time, it may become habit-forming, causing mental or physical dependence. However, people who have continuing pain should not let the fear of dependence keep them from using narcotics to relieve their pain. Mental dependence (addiction) is not likely to occur when narcotics are used for this purpose. Physical dependence may lead to withdrawal side effects if treatment is stopped suddenly. Since sufentanil is only used for short-term (72 hours or less) relief of pain, physical dependence will probably not occur.
Sufentanil is available only under a restricted distribution program called the Dsuvia™ REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy) program.
Before using sufentanil
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For sufentanil, the following should be considered:
Allergies
The dose of sufentanil will be di..
