Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluation of sublingual sufentanil in the treatment of post-operative pain

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Intravenous patient-controlled analgesia using opioids is frequently used to provide perioperative analgesia. However, there are a number of drawbacks for intravenous patient-controlled analgesia. The sufentanil sublingual tablet system is a major evolution in technology and drug development for postoperative pain management.

Areas Covered: We reviewed the use of sublingual sufentanil in postoperative pain management, with a focus on chemistry, pharmacokinetics and clinical use in different surgical patients.

Expert Opinion: The sufentanil sublingual tablet system can decrease intravenous patient-controlled analgesia-related safety issues. Current clinical studies have demonstrated this novel system to be safe and effective in postoperative pain management.

KEYWORDS:

• Patient-controlled analgesia
• postoperative pain
• sublingual sufentanil treatment system
• sufentanil
• sufentanil metabolism

Declaration of Interest

R Babazade is supported by Tubitak. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed

Box 1 Drug summary.

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