Sufentanil is a strong painkiller. It is used to relieve serious and sudden pain after an operation or in patients who are intolerable or have inadequate response to other painkillers.
Take Sufentanil exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
This medicine is available as a sublingual tablet to be used with a specific administration device provided.
Depending on the device given to you, your doctor or nurse may administer the medicine for you, or they may show you how to take it yourself.
If you are taking the medicine by yourself, make sure you know how to use the specific device you have been given. If you have problems or do not understand the instructions, ask your doctor or nurse.
This medicine is placed under your tongue to be effective. It is absorbed into your body through the lining of your mouth. Do not swallow, chew, or crush the tablet.
Do not consume any food or drink and talk as little as possible for 10 minutes after taking this medicine.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the severity of your condition and response to the medication.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- severe breathing or lung problems e.g. asthma
- confirmed or suspected blockage of the stomach and bowel, including paralytic ileus (bowel obstruction caused by slow movement or paralysis of the intestines)
as Sufentanil may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- adrenal glands disorder
- other lung problems
- increased pressure in the brain, head injury, brain disease or brain tumours
- delirium tremens (severe tremors, hallucination and disorientation caused by withdrawal from alcohol)
- history of epilepsy (fits or seizures)
- prostate enlargement or problems when urinating
- heart problems e.g. slow heartbeat, recent heart attack
- low blood volume circulating in the body
- breathing difficulties during sleep
- disease of the gall bladder or pancreas
- history of drug or alcohol abuse, or mental illness
- severe kidney disease
- liver disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Sufentanil to the elderly or debilitated individual (a person who is physically or mentally weak usually due to illness or old age). These people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
There is a risk of abuse, misuse, and addiction with this medicine. Your doctor will monitor your condition and check your response to the medication during treatment.
Do not share this medicine with anyone else.
Sufentanil may cause dizziness, sleepiness, or some problems with your eyesight. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert or need to see clearly.
Other side effects include any of the following: nausea, vomiting, constipation, indigestion, muscle twitching or cramps, fever, headache, difficulty sleeping, and itchy skin.
This medicine may cause your blood pressure to fall suddenly when you get up from a sitting or lying down position and you may feel giddy. To minimise this problem, stand up slowly.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- difficulty in breathing, slow or shallow breathing
- extreme dizziness or passing out
- shallow or pause of breathing during sleep
- feeling faint, slow heartbeat, chest pain
- fits or seizures
- weakness, tiredness, loss of appetite
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for anxiety e.g. diazepam
- medicines to treat depression e.g. escitalopram, duloxetine
- other strong painkillers e.g. tramadol, oxycodone
- certain antibiotics e.g. erythromycin
- medicines for HIV infection e.g. ritonavir
- medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. carbamazepine, phenytoin
- medicines for migraine e.g. sumatriptan, zolmitriptan
- medicines for nausea or vomiting e.g. ondansetron
- medicines for high blood pressure
- water pills or medicines for water retention
- rifampicin (medicine to treat TB, a lung infection known as tuberculosis)
- other medicines that can cause drowsiness or affect your concentration
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Sufentanil.
It is not recommended to take this medicine if you are currently taking or have taken a medicine to treat depression known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine and tranylcypromine in the last 14 days.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol. Alcohol intake may worsen the side effects caused by Sufentanil.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Protect from light.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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