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. 2010:3:35-43.
doi: 10.2147/lra.s7709. Epub 2010 Jul 15.

Review of the efficacy and safety of remifentanil for the prevention and treatment of pain during and after procedures and surgery

Erica L Sivak  1 , Peter J Davis
Affiliations

Review of the efficacy and safety of remifentanil for the prevention and treatment of pain during and after procedures and surgery

Erica L Sivak et al. Local Reg Anesth. 2010.

Abstract

Remifentanil is an ultrashort-acting synthetic opioid. It is metabolized by nonspecific tissue and plasma esterases. Remifentanil's metabolism is responsible for its unique pharmacokinetic profile and flat, context-sensitive half-time. Since its introduction into clinical practice, remifentanil has been used for a variety of anesthetic and analgesic applications; however, concerns regarding a potential for rapid induction of tolerance and/or induced hyperalgesia, coupled with an ultrarapid offset of effect, make the drug less than optimal for use in the pharmacologic management of pain.

Keywords: hyperalgesia; intravenous anesthesia; rapid offset; regional anesthesia; tolerance.

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