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Fentanyl - PICU Standard
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid agonist that binds to mu-opioid receptors in the central nervous system to produce analgesia and sedation.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid agonist that binds to mu-opioid receptors in the central nervous system to produce analgesia and sedation. Used for Pain management in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) patients, Sedation in mechanically ventilated pediatric patients.
At a glance
| Generic name | Fentanyl - PICU Standard |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Vanderbilt University Medical Center |
| Drug class | Opioid agonist |
| Target | Mu-opioid receptor (OPRM1) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Anesthesia/Critical Care |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Fentanyl activates mu-opioid receptors throughout the brain and spinal cord, inhibiting pain signal transmission and producing potent analgesia. In the PICU setting, it is used for both pain management and sedation in critically ill pediatric patients. The drug has a rapid onset and short duration of action, making it suitable for titrated sedation in mechanically ventilated children.
Approved indications
- Pain management in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) patients
- Sedation in mechanically ventilated pediatric patients
Common side effects
- Respiratory depression
- Hypotension
- Bradycardia
- Chest wall rigidity
- Tolerance with prolonged use
Key clinical trials
- Music Listening: A Mechanistic Trial (NA)
- Nurse-Led BIS-Guided Sedation Protocol in Pediatric Intensive Care (NA)
- Dexmedetomidine Cycling and Sleep in the Pediatric ICU (PHASE4)
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:
- Fentanyl - PICU Standard CI brief — competitive landscape report
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- Vanderbilt University Medical Center portfolio CI