Sufentanil citrate: a new opioid analgesic for use in anesthesia.

Sufentanil citrate is a potent analogue of fentanyl that has been evaluated primarily for use in opioid anesthesia. It is a pure mu receptor agonist and produces the typical spectrum of opioid effects. The major side effects are truncal rigidity and prolonged respiratory depression. In doses of 4-30 micrograms/kg sufentanil produces hypnosis and suppresses most hemodynamic and hormonal responses to surgery without producing significant cardiovascular depression. In this respect sufentanil and fentanyl have clear advantages over morphine, meperidine and potent inhalation anesthetics. Compared to fentanyl, sufentanil has a more rapid onset and shorter duration of action. The relatively high concentration of commercially available sufentanil injection will make it much more convenient for its intended application than fentanyl injection. This new agent will be used primarily for open-heart surgery and major operations in patients with severe cardiovascular compromise.