alfentanil hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
Short-acting opioid analgesic and opioid anaesthetic.
How it is given
Intravenous injection or infusion by professionals trained in anaesthesia and opioid-related airway management.
Key safety issue
Breathing can become slow or stop, so respiratory monitoring and resuscitation facilities are required.
Driving
Do not drive or operate machinery for at least 24 hours after administration, and longer if still affected.
What is alfentanil hydrochloride used for?
The selected UK products are licensed for use during anaesthesia.
In adults, as an analgesic during induction or maintenance of general anaesthesia and before or during surgical procedures.
In neonates, infants, children and adolescents, with a hypnotic for induction of anaesthesia and as an opioid analgesic alongside general anaesthesia for surgical procedures.
How does alfentanil hydrochloride work?
Alfentanil activates mu-opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, reducing the transmission and perception of pain. Intravenous administration produces a rapid effect with a comparatively short duration, but the same action can suppress breathing and consciousness.
alfentanil hydrochloride preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 500 micrograms/mL, 5 mg/mL
How to take alfentanil hydrochloride
Alfentanil is not normally self-administered. It is given into a vein by trained healthcare professionals in a setting equipped to monitor and support breathing.
Tell the anaesthetic team about all prescribed, non-prescription and recreational substances used recently.
Follow discharge instructions and do not drive, operate machinery or drink alcohol while drowsy or otherwise affected.
Opened containers are for immediate use; unused solution is discarded by healthcare staff.
alfentanil hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Nausea or vomiting
- Drowsiness, dizziness or unusual movements
- Slow or fast heartbeat
- Low or high blood pressure
- Temporary pauses in breathing
- Muscle stiffness
- Visual disturbance
- Chills, fatigue or injection-site pain
Get urgent medical advice
- Slow, shallow or stopped breathing
- Loss of consciousness or inability to wake normally
- Severe muscle or chest-wall rigidity affecting ventilation
- Severe allergic reaction, including swelling, wheezing or collapse
- Markedly slow heartbeat, serious rhythm disturbance or cardiac arrest
- Serotonin syndrome, which may include agitation, fever, sweating, muscle stiffness and altered consciousness
alfentanil hydrochloride in pregnancy
Human pregnancy information is limited, so the anaesthetic team should balance potential benefits and risks. Alfentanil crosses the placenta and is not recommended during labour or before cord clamping because it can suppress the newborn's breathing. Repeated opioid exposure during pregnancy may also cause neonatal dependence and withdrawal.
alfentanil hydrochloride while breastfeeding
Alfentanil can enter breast milk and could suppress an infant's breathing. The selected product information advises against breastfeeding or using expressed milk during the first 24 hours after administration; discuss feeding plans with the anaesthetic or maternity team.
alfentanil hydrochloride interactions
Important interactions mainly increase respiratory depression, alter alfentanil metabolism or contribute to serotonin toxicity.
Benzodiazepines and other sedatives
Additive sedation can cause profound respiratory depression, coma or death.
Alcohol, general anaesthetics, antipsychotics and barbiturates
These can intensify or prolong sedation and breathing suppression.
Common questions about alfentanil hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is alfentanil hydrochloride an opioid?
Yes. It is a potent synthetic opioid analgesic that acts mainly at mu-opioid receptors.
What is alfentanil hydrochloride used for in the UK?
The selected products are licensed principally for pain control during induction and maintenance of general anaesthesia and during surgical procedures.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.