Last reviewed · How we verify
Remifentanil and Desflurane
Remifentanil is an opioid agonist that binds mu receptors to provide analgesia and sedation, while desflurane is a volatile anesthetic that enhances CNS depression through GABA and other ion channel modulation.
Remifentanil is an opioid agonist that binds mu receptors to provide analgesia and sedation, while desflurane is a volatile anesthetic that enhances CNS depression through GABA and other ion channel modulation. Used for Induction and maintenance of general anesthesia in adults and children, Analgesia and sedation in mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care settings.
At a glance
| Generic name | Remifentanil and Desflurane |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Ultiva, Suprane |
| Sponsor | The Cooper Health System |
| Drug class | Opioid agonist and volatile anesthetic combination |
| Target | Mu-opioid receptor (remifentanil); GABA receptors and ion channels (desflurane) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Anesthesia |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Remifentanil is a potent synthetic opioid that rapidly crosses the blood-brain barrier and binds mu-opioid receptors in the central nervous system to produce analgesia, sedation, and respiratory depression. Desflurane is a volatile halogenated anesthetic that potentiates inhibitory neurotransmission (particularly GABA) and modulates ion channels, producing unconsciousness and anesthesia. Together, they provide balanced anesthesia with rapid onset and offset.
Approved indications
- Induction and maintenance of general anesthesia in adults and children
- Analgesia and sedation in mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care settings
Common side effects
- Respiratory depression
- Hypotension
- Bradycardia
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle rigidity
- Postoperative shivering
Key clinical trials
- Low-Flow Sevoflurane and Desflurane Anesthesia in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (NA)
- Opioid-Free vs Opioid-Based Anesthesia in Bariatric Surgery (NA)
- The Effect of the Anticholinergic Burden Following Elective Coronary Artery Surgery (PHASE4)
- Continuous Versus 1-min Oscillometric Arterial BP Monitoring (NA)
- Inhalational Agents Versus Dexmedetomidine for Maintenance of General Anesthesia (NA)
- Psychosocial Factors and Postoperative Pain in Aesthetic Breast Surgery
- Effects of an Opioid Free/Sparing Care Pathway for Patients Undergoing Obesity Surgery (NA)
- Oxidative Stress Effects of TIVA, CIVA, and Balanced Anesthesia in VATS (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:
- Remifentanil and Desflurane CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Remifentanil and Desflurane updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- The Cooper Health System portfolio CI