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 Above: Alfentanil structureBelow: 3D model of alfentanil molecule | |
| Clinical data | |
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| Trade names | Alfenta, Rapifen, others |
| Other names | R-39209 |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Micromedex Detailed Consumer Information |
| MedlinePlus | a601130 |
| Routes of administration | Intravenous,subcutaneous |
| Drug class | Opioid |
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| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | IV/IM/SC: 100% |
| Protein binding | 92% |
| Metabolism | Hepatic |
| Eliminationhalf-life | 90–111 minutes |
| Duration of action | 15 minutes[2] |
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| ECHA InfoCard | 100.295.336 |
| Chemical and physical data | |
| Formula | C21H32N6O3 |
| Molar mass | 416.526 g·mol−1 |
| 3D model (JSmol) | |
| Melting point | 140.8 °C (285.4 °F) |
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Alfentanil, sold under the brand nameAlfenta among others, is a potent, short-acting syntheticopioidanalgesic drug used foranesthesia insurgery. It is an analogue offentanyl with around one-fourth to one-tenth the potency, one-third the duration of action, and an onset of action four times faster than that of fentanyl.[3] Alfentanil has a pKa of approximately 6.5, which leads to a very high proportion of the drug being uncharged at physiologic pH, a characteristic responsible for its rapid-onset. It is anagonist of theμ-opioid receptor.
While alfentanil tends to cause fewercardiovascular complications than other similar drugs such as fentanyl andremifentanil, it tends to give strongerrespiratory depression and so requires careful monitoring of breathing and vital signs. Almost exclusively used by anesthesia providers during portions of a case where quick, fast-acting (though not long-lasting) pain control is needed (as, for example, duringnerve blocks), alfentanil is administered by theparenteral (injected) route for fast-onset and precise control of dosage.
Discovered atJanssen Pharmaceutica in 1976, alfentanil is classified as aSchedule II drug in the United States.[4]
The first application of the bolus, elimination, transfer infusion scheme used alfentanil andetomidate in 1983.[5]
