Expert review of neurotherapeutics
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Expert Rev Neurother · Feb 2017
Sufentanil sublingual formulation for the treatment of acute, moderate to severe postoperative pain in adult patients.
Sufentanil is a highly selective µ-opioid agonist commonly used by intravenous and intrathecal routes for acute pain. Sublingual sufentanil formulation for patient controlled analgesia (PCA) uses an innovative administration device that suspends a 15 µg nanotablet with a fixed lockout interval. The system is a non-invasive, less burdensome method of opioid delivery compared to intravenous and intrathecal routes. ⋯ Expert commentary: Under-treatment of acute pain is a substantial clinical problem. The initial experiences with the sublingual delivery system are encouraging. Sufentanil sublingual nanotablets intended for PCA device use are approved in Europe, and approval is pending in the United States.