166 Fentanyl
Sufentanil (Schedule II, CAS Registry No. 56030-54-7, citrate form 60561-17-
3) is a derivative of fentanyl used for pain control and anesthesia. It is 50 to
100 times stronger than morphine and is used to knock out wild animals. The
drug takes effect faster than fentanyl but lasts a shorter time. Sufentanil can
lower heart rate and blood pressure, create muscle rigidity, and cause typical
unwanted opioid effects such as itching and vomiting. At normal doses su-
fentanil can halt breathing, so medical personnel stand by to provide respi-
ration assistance when they administer the drug. Laboratory and animal
experiments indicate no potential for causing cancer. Tests with rats and rab-
bits did not produce birth defects. Researchers examining the results when
sufentanil is used in childbirth found no harm to mother or infant. Sufentanil
is assumed to pass into the milk of nursing mothers, but the amount is as-
sumed harmless to the infant.
Other fentanyl derivatives exist. They are used illicitly to experience heroin
sensations and can be 1,000 times stronger than heroin.
Fentanyl has the same molecular formula as the Schedule I substance acetyl-
alpha-methylfentanyl (DEA no. 9815), but the two drugs are different sub-
stances.
Additional scientific information may be found in:Baylon, G.J. “Comparative Abuse Liability of Intravenously Administered Remifentanil
and Fentanyl.”Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology20 (2000): 597–606.
Henderson, G.L. “Designer Drugs: Past History and Future Prospects.”Journal of Fo-
rensic Sciences33 (1988): 569–75.
Patt, R.B., and L.A. Hogan. “Comment: Transdermal Fentanyl.”Annals of Pharmaco-
therapy27 (1993): 795–96.
Schneider, U., et al. “Effects of Fentanyl and Low Doses of Alcohol on Neuropsycho-
logical Performance in Healthy Subjects.”Neuropsychobiology39 (1999): 38–43.
Zacny, J.P., et al. “Subjective and Behavioral Responses to Intravenous Fentanyl in
Healthy Volunteers.”Psychopharmacology(Berlin) 107 (1992): 319–26.