Fentanyl

[spartacus007 74]

Dear Colleagues

 

I am writing to you about your dose range and experiences of using fentanyl infusions for sedation. What is your range and what side effects have you seen. 

 

Alok

[JMari 5]

Hi Alok,

We use Fentanyl infusion on our unit, we start with 1 ug/kg/h and titrate depending on the effect. No major side effect experienced (apart from respiratory depression), but we see withdrawal if used for longer period. Most frequently given for postop pain/PPHN etc.

Judit

[frvg666 10]

We USE clonidine infusion (1.5microgr) 2 - 3 days before we stopp fentanyl infusion if duration of fentanyl was longer than 4-5 days. Almost no withdrawl problems, reduction of clonidine 2-3 days after fentanyl was stopped

 

[bimalc 130]

1-4 ug/kg/h infusions, usually the lower end of that spectrum, titrating by 0.5 to 1 to effect.  Obviously respiratory depression is an issue, but these drips are almost exclusively used in intubated patients so less of a concern.  Less uniform practice in my group, historically have used methadone or morphine to come off high dose infusions, but we're increasingly using dexmedetomidine for much the same reason/effect as @frvg666 uses clonidine when coming off larger exposures.