Alfentanil
Alfentanil
Alfentanil (pronounced: al-FEN-ta-nil) is a potent, short-acting synthetic opioid analgesic drug, used for anesthesia in surgery. It is a derivative of fentanyl, a powerful opioid that's 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine.
Etymology
The name "Alfentanil" is derived from Alpha-fentanyl, indicating its place as a derivative of fentanyl.
Pharmacology
Alfentanil works by binding to the mu-opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, blocking the transmission of pain signals. It is more lipid-soluble than fentanyl, allowing it to cross the blood-brain barrier more quickly and produce a faster onset of action.
Usage
Alfentanil is primarily used in the induction of general anesthesia and as an adjunct to local or regional anesthesia. It is also used for pain management in certain procedures due to its rapid onset and short duration of action.
Side Effects
Like other opioids, Alfentanil can cause side effects such as respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting, and hypotension. It can also cause dependence and withdrawal symptoms if used for a long period.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Alfentanil
- Wikipedia's article - Alfentanil
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski