Alfentanil injection

What is alfentanil injection?

ALFENTANIL (Alfenta®) helps to induce and maintain anesthesia and sedation during and after surgery or other procedures. Occasionally, alfentanil may be given for the management of pain. An anesthesiologist or specially trained health care professional will give alfentanil to you. Generic alfentanil injections are not available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive alfentanil?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• an infection

• heart disease

• high or low blood pressure

• intestinal disease

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• lung disease or breathing difficulties

• seizure disorder

• an allergic or unusual reaction to alfentanil, meperidine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Alfentanil is for infusion into a vein. It may also be given by an epidural injection into your spine. It is given by a specially trained health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

What drug(s) may interact with alfentanil?

• alcohol

• amiodarone

• bosentan

• certain antibiotics such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, or troleandomycin

• cimetidine

• diltiazem

• dronabinol

• imatinib, STI-571

• medicines for depression (examples: MAOIs, nefazodone, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, or sertraline)

• medicines for high blood pressure

• medicines for pain

• medicines for seizures

• medicines for sleep

• medicines to treat fungal infections (fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole)

• mifepristone, RU-486

• some medicines for viral infections (including drugs used to treat HIV infection or AIDS)

• St. John's wort or any herbal preparations containing St. John's wort

• verapamil

• zafirlukast

• zileuton

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you that are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also, tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking alfentanil?

Alfentanil is used mostly during surgery or while you are recovering from surgery. Tell your prescriber or health care professional if continue to have pain, it does not go away, if it gets worse, or if you have new or different type of pain.

Make sure to tell your anesthesiologist or other health care professional if you are taking any herbal products. Bring the herbal containers to show to your health care professional before your surgery. You should stop taking any herbal products at least 2—3 weeks before your surgery to decrease the risk of any side effects. Some products may increase the effects of alfentanil.

What side effects may I notice from receiving alfentanil?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

Rare or uncommon:

• breathing difficulties, wheezing

• cold, clammy skin

• seizures

• slow or fast heartbeat

• severe rash

• unusual weakness

More common:

• confusion

• lightheadedness or fainting spells

• decrease or difficulty passing urine

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• blurred vision

• clumsiness, unsteadiness

• constipation

• dizziness, drowsiness

• dry mouth

• flushing

• headache

• itching

• nausea/vomiting

Where can I keep my medicine?

You will only receive alfentanil in a hospital or clinic setting. You will not receive alfentanil at home.