Remifentanil: a new opioid.

Remifentanil appears to have pharmacodynamic properties similar to other potent mu opioid agonists. It does, however, have unique pharmacokinetic properties, with a rapid onset and rapid offset of effect, irrespective of the duration of its administration. With this property, remifentanil appears to be a very titratable opioid that will make it suitable for administration for either very brief periods, in which analgesia is required, or over prolonged periods, without the concern for prolonged recovery.