See the DrugPatentWatch profile for Remifentanil
What is remifentanil hydrochloride?
Remifentanil hydrochloride is a short-acting opioid pain medicine (a fentanyl analogue) given to help with anesthesia and sedation, where clinicians want very rapid control of pain with quick recovery after stopping the drug.
How is it used in medical settings?
It is used in controlled clinical settings, typically as part of anesthesia or procedural sedation, because its effects can be turned off quickly once the infusion or dosing stops.
How fast does it start working, and how quickly does it wear off?
Remifentanil is designed for fast onset and a rapid offset. That means patients can recover relatively quickly after the infusion is stopped compared with longer-acting opioids.
What are the key safety concerns patients ask about?
As an opioid, remifentanil can cause breathing suppression (respiratory depression). It also carries risks typical of opioids, such as low blood pressure and sedation, so it is used with monitoring and dose adjustments in clinical settings.
Why is “hydrochloride” mentioned?
“Hydrochloride” indicates the drug is formulated as a salt form (remifentanil HCl), which helps with stability and consistent dosing in pharmaceutical preparations.
What dose form is it usually prescribed in?
Clinically, remifentanil hydrochloride is commonly administered by infusion and/or controlled dosing during anesthesia, because titration is central to how clinicians use it to manage pain and sedation.
What happens if the infusion is stopped or reduced?
Because its action is short, reducing or stopping dosing typically leads to a faster decline in effects than with longer-acting opioids, which is one reason it is used in anesthesia settings.
Where can someone learn the official details?
For exact indications, dosing, contraindications, and warnings, the most reliable source is the drug’s prescribing information (package insert) and the clinical anesthesia references used in your region.
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Sources
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