Alfentanil

Excerpt

Alfentanil is a synthetic, short-acting opioid analgesic classified as a small-molecule derivative of fentanyl. This medication is widely used as an analgesic supplement during various surgical procedures or as a primary anesthetic agent in high doses during cardiac surgery in hospital settings. In comparison to analogous anesthetics such as fentanyl and sufentanil, alfentanil exhibits the least potency, has the fastest onset of action, and features the shortest duration of action. Due to its brief duration of action, alfentanil is generally favored for shorter procedures or situations requiring swift alterations in the level of consciousness. The drug has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an anesthetic for adults and children undergoing general anesthesia and monitored anesthesia care, highlighting its clinical significance.