Last reviewed · How we verify
Continuous remifentanil Infusion
Remifentanil is a potent synthetic opioid agonist that binds to mu (μ) opioid receptors in the central nervous system to produce rapid analgesia and sedation.
Remifentanil is a potent synthetic opioid agonist that binds to mu (μ) opioid receptors in the central nervous system to produce rapid analgesia and sedation. Used for Intraoperative analgesia during general anesthesia, Sedation and analgesia in mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care settings.
At a glance
| Generic name | Continuous remifentanil Infusion |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital. |
| Drug class | Opioid agonist |
| Target | Mu (μ) opioid receptor |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Anesthesia and Analgesia |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Remifentanil activates mu opioid receptors, which inhibit pain signal transmission and modulate consciousness. It is a rapid-onset, short-acting opioid metabolized by non-specific plasma and tissue esterases, allowing for quick offset even with continuous infusion. This pharmacokinetic profile makes it particularly suitable for intraoperative and critical care analgesia where rapid titration is needed.
Approved indications
- Intraoperative analgesia during general anesthesia
- Sedation and analgesia in mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care settings
Common side effects
- Respiratory depression
- Hypotension
- Bradycardia
- Muscle rigidity
- Nausea and vomiting
- Postoperative hyperalgesia
Key clinical trials
- Effects of Different Drugs for Glottic Atomization on Postoperative Sore Throat After Thyroid Surgery (PHASE4)
- Opioid Free and Opioid Based Anesthesia in Elective Lumbar Spine Surgery
- Effect of Titrated Administration of Ciprofol on Perioperative Hypotension in Elderly Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Abdominal Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial (NA)
- Comparison of Anesthetic Techniques for Early Recovery After Ankle Arthroscopy (NA)
- Propofol vs Remifentanil for Sedation in Gastroscopy (NA)
- Opioid-Free vs Opioid-Based Anesthesia in Bariatric Surgery (NA)
- Continuous Versus 1-min Oscillometric Arterial BP Monitoring (NA)
- Tubeless Spontaneous Ventilation Anesthesia in Kidney Transplantation (NA)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape: