Alfenta

Generic name:Alfentanil hydrochloride
Dosage form: injection
Drug class:Narcotic analgesics

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 24, 2022.

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Alfenta Description

Alfenta (Alfentanil hydrochloride) Injection is an opioid analgesic chemically designated as N-[1-[2-(4-ethyl-4,5-dihydro-5-oxo-1H-tetrazol-1-yl)ethyl]-4-(methoxymethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-N-phenylpropanamide monohydrochloride (1:1) with a molecular weight of 452.98 and an n-octanol:water partition coefficient of 128:1 at pH 7.4. The structural formula of Alfenta is:

Alfenta is a sterile, non-pyrogenic, preservative free aqueous solution containing Alfentanil hydrochloride equivalent to 500 µg per mL of Alfentanil base for intravenous injection. The solution, which contains sodium chloride for isotonicity, has a pH range of 4-6. Each mL contains: Active: Alfentanil base 500 mcg. Inactive: Sodium Chloride 9 mg and Water for Injection Q.S.

Alfenta - Clinical Pharmacology

Alfenta (Alfentanil hydrochloride) is an opioid analgesic with a rapid onset of action.

At doses of 8-40 mcg/kg for surgical procedures lasting up to 30 minutes, Alfenta provides analgesic protection against hemodynamic responses to surgical stress with recovery times generally comparable to those seen with equipotent fentanyl dosages.

For longer procedures, doses of up to 75 mcg/kg attenuate hemodynamic responses to laryngoscopy, intubation and incision, with recovery time comparable to fentanyl. At doses of 50-75 mcg/kg followed by a continuous infusion of 0.5-3 mcg/kg/min, Alfenta attenuates the catecholamine response with more rapid recovery and reduced need for postoperative analgesics as compared to patients administered enflurane. At doses of 5 mcg/kg, Alfenta provides analgesia for the conscious but sedated patient. Based on patient response, doses higher than 5 mcg/kg may be needed. Elderly or debilitated patients may require lower doses. High intrasubject and intersubject variability in the pharmacokinetic disposition of Alfenta has been reported.

The pharmacokinetics of Alfenta can be described as a three-compartment model with sequential distribution half-lives...