Prescription Drug Information: Alfentanil Hydrochloride

ALFENTANIL HYDROCHLORIDE- alfentanil hydrochloride injection
Akorn

WARNING: ADDICTION, ABUSE, AND MISUSE

Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse

Alfentanil HCl injection exposes patients and other users to the risks of opioid addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death. Assess each patient’s risk prior to prescribing Alfentanil HCl Injection, and monitor all patients regularly for the development of these behaviors and conditions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Alfentanil HCl Injection is indicated:

  • as an analgesic adjunct given in incremental doses in the maintenance of anesthesia with barbiturate/nitrous oxide/oxygen.
  • as an analgesic administered by continuous infusion with nitrous oxide/oxygen in the maintenance of general anesthesia.
  • as a primary anesthetic agent for the induction of anesthesia in patients undergoing general surgery in which endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation are required.
  • as the analgesic component for monitored anesthesia care (MAC).

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

2.1 Important Dosage and Administration Instructions

Alfentanil HCl Injection should be administered only by persons specifically trained in the use of intravenous anesthetics and management of the respiratory effects of potent opioids.

In patients administered high doses of Alfentanil HCl Injection, it is essential that qualified personnel and adequate facilities are available for the management of postoperative respiratory depression.

  • Ensure that an opioid antagonist, resuscitative and intubation equipment, and oxygen are readily available.
  • Individualize dosage based on factors such as age, body weight, physical status, underlying pathological condition, use of other drugs, type of anesthesia to be used, and the surgical procedure involved.
  • The selection of preanesthetic medications should be based upon the needs of the individual patient.
  • The neuromuscular blocking agent selected should be compatible with the patient’s condition, taking into account the hemodynamic effects of a particular muscle relaxant and the degree of skeletal muscle relaxation required.
  • Patients receiving monitored anesthesia care (MAC) should be continuously monitored by persons not involved in the conduct of the surgical or diagnostic procedure; oxygen supplementation should be immediately available and provided where clinically indicated; oxygen saturation should be continuously monitored; the patient should be observed for early signs of hypotension, apnea, upper airway obstruction and/or oxygen desaturation.
  • Delayed respiratory depression, respiratory arrest, bradycardia, asystole, arrhythmias and hypotension have also been reported. Therefore, vital signs must be monitored continuously, including following the termination of surgery.
  • Inspect parenteral drug products visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.
  • For purposes of administering small volumes of Alfentanil HCl Injection accurately, the use of a tuberculin syringe or equivalent is recommended.

As with other potent opioids, the respiratory depressant effect of alfentanil may persist longer than the measured analgesic effect. The total dose of all opioid agonists administered should be considered by the practitioner before ordering opioid analgesics during recovery from anesthesia.

If Alfentanil HCl Injection is administered with a CNS depressant, become familiar with the properties of each drug, particularly each product’s duration of action. In addition, when such a combination is used, fluids and other countermeasures to manage hypotension should be available [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)].

The physical and chemical compatibility of Alfentanil HCl Injection have been demonstrated in solution with normal saline, 5% dextrose in normal saline, 5% dextrose in water and Lactated Ringers. Clinical studies of Alfentanil HCl Injection infusion have been conducted with Alfentanil HCl Injection diluted to a concentration range of 25 mcg/mL to 80 mcg/mL.

As an example of the preparation of Alfentanil HCl Injection for infusion, 20 mL of Alfentanil HCl injection added to 230 mL of diluent provides 40 mcg/mL solution of Alfentanil.

2.2 Dosage

The dosage of Alfentanil HCl Injection should be individualized and titrated to the desired effect in each patient according to body weight, physical status, underlying pathological condition, use of other drugs, and type and duration of surgical procedure and anesthesia. The dose of Alfentanil HCl Injection should be reduced in elderly or debilitated patients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)].

See Dosing Chart for the use of Alfentanil HCl Injection

  1. by incremental injection as an analgesic adjunct to anesthesia with barbiturate/nitrous oxide/oxygen for short surgical procedures (expected duration of less than one hour);
  2. by continuous infusion as a maintenance analgesic with nitrous oxide/oxygen for general surgical procedures; and
  3. by intravenous injection in anesthetic doses for the induction of anesthesia for general surgical procedures with a minimum expected duration of 45 minutes; and
  4. by intravenous injection as the analgesic component for monitored anesthesia care (MAC).

When administering Alfentanil as induction doses, administer the dose slowly (over three minutes). Because administration of the induction dose may produce loss of vascular tone and hypotension, consider given to fluid replacement prior to induction.

Table 1: Dosing Chart For Use During General Anesthesia
Spontaneously Breathing/Assisted Ventilation Induction of Analgesia: 8 to 20 mcg/kgMaintenance of Analgesia: 3 to 5 mcg/kg q 5 to 20 min or 0.5 to 1 mcg/kg/minTotal dose: 8 to 40 mcg/kg
Assisted or Controlled Ventilation – Assisted or Controlled Ventilation Incremental Injection (To attenuate response to laryngoscopy and intubation) Induction of Analgesia: 20 to 50 mcg/kg Maintenance of Analgesia: 5 to 15 mcg/kg q 5 to 20 min Total dose: Up to 75 mcg/kg
Assisted or Controlled Ventilation – Continuous Infusion (To provide attenuation of response to intubation and incision) Induction of Analgesia: 50 to 75 mcg/kgMaintenance of Analgesia: 0.5 to 3 mcg/kg/min (Average rate 1 to 1.5 mcg/kg/min) Infusion rates are variable and should be titrated to the desired clinical effect. See Infusion Dosage Guidelines BelowTotal dose: Dependent on duration of procedure
Anesthetic Induction Induction of Anesthesia: 130 to 245 mcg/kg Administer slowly (over 3 minutes).Maintenance of Anesthesia: 0.5 to 1.5 mcg/kg/min or general anesthetic.Infusion rates are variable and should be titrated to the desired clinical effect. See Infusion Dosage Guidelines BelowTotal dose: Dependent on duration of procedureAt these doses truncal rigidity should be expected and a muscle relaxant should be utilized.In patients administered anesthetic (induction) dosages of Alfentanil HCl Injection, it is essential that qualified personnel and adequate facilities are available for the management of intraoperative and postoperative respiratory depression.
MONITORED ANESTHESIA CARE (MAC) (For sedated and responsive, spontaneously breathing patients) Induction of MAC: 3 to 8 mcg/kgMaintenance of MAC: 3 to 5 mcg/kg q 5 to 20 min or 0.25 to 1 mcg/kg/minInfusion rates are variable and should be titrated to the desired clinical effect. See Infusion Dosage Guidelines BelowTotal dose: 3 to 40 mcg/kgPatients receiving monitored anesthesia care (MAC) should be continuously monitored by persons not involved in the conduct of the surgical or diagnostic procedure
Infusion Dosage Guidelines For Continuous Infusion: 0.5 to 3 mcg/kg/min administered with nitrous oxide/oxygen in patients undergoing general surgery.Following an anesthetic induction dose of Alfentanil HCl Injection, alfentanil infusion rate requirements are reduced by 30 to 50% for the first hour of maintenance. Requirements for volatile inhalation anesthetics are also reduced by 30 to 50% for the first hour of maintenance.Changes in vital signs that indicate a response to surgical stress or lightening of anesthesia may be controlled by increasing the Alfentanil HCl Injection to a maximum of 4 mcg/kg/min and/or administration of bolus doses of 7 mcg/kg. If changes are not controlled after three bolus doses given over a five-minute period, a barbiturate, vasodilator, and/or inhalation agent should be used. Infusion rates should always be adjusted downward in the absence of these signs until there is some response to surgical stimulation.Rather than an increase in infusion rate, 7 mcg/kg bolus doses of Alfentanil HCl Injection or a potent inhalation agent should be administered in response to signs of lightening of anesthesia within the last 15 minutes of surgery. Alfentanil HCl Injection infusion should be discontinued at least 10 to 15 minutes prior to the end of surgery.In patients administered anesthetic (induction) dosages of Alfentanil HCl Injection, it is essential that qualified personnel and adequate facilities are available for the management of intraoperative and postoperative respiratory depression.

2.3 Discontinuation of Alfentanil HCl Injection

Alfentanil HCl Injection infusions should be discontinued at least 10 to 15 minutes prior to the end of surgery during general anesthesia. During administration of Alfentanil HCl Injection for Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC), infusions may be continued to the end of the procedure.

2.4 Dosage Modification in Elderly Patients

Reduce the initial dose of Alfentanil HCl Injection in elderly patients by up to 40% due to reduced clearance and increased sensitivity to the effects. [see Specific Populations (8.5)]. The effect of the initial dose should be considered in determining supplemental doses.

2.5 Dosage Modifications in Obese Patients

In obese patients (more than 20% above ideal body weight) the dose of Alfentanil HCl Injection should be determined on the basis of lean body weight.

2.6 Dosage Modifications with Concomitant Use with Other CNS Depressants

Other CNS depressant drugs (e.g. barbiturates, tranquilizers, narcotics and general anesthetics) will have additive or potentiating effects with Alfentanil HCl Injection. When patients have received such drugs, the dose of Alfentanil HCl Injection, required will be less than usual. Following the administration of Alfentanil HCl Injection, the dose of other CNS depressant drugs should be reduced. [see Drug Interactions (7)].

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

Alfentanil HCl Injection USP, for intravenous use (equivalent to 500 mcg/mL alfentanil base).

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS

Alfentanil HCl Injection is contraindicated in patients with:

  • Hypersensitivity to alfentanil (e.g., anaphylaxis) [see Adverse Reactions (6)]

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