Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ALFENTANIL versus LAZANDA.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ALFENTANIL versus LAZANDA.
ALFENTANIL vs LAZANDA
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Alfentanil is a potent, short-acting synthetic opioid analgesic that primarily acts as a mu-opioid receptor agonist. It binds to mu-opioid receptors in the central nervous system, leading to G-protein coupled activation of inwardly rectifying potassium channels and inhibition of voltage-gated calcium channels, resulting in hyperpolarization and reduced neurotransmitter release. This produces analgesia, sedation, and respiratory depression.
Fentanyl is a μ-opioid receptor agonist. It binds to μ-opioid receptors in the central nervous system, activating G-protein-coupled receptors to inhibit adenylate cyclase, reduce cAMP production, and modulate ion channels, leading to decreased neurotransmitter release (e.g., substance P, glutamate) and hyperpolarization of neurons, resulting in analgesia and sedation.
Initial IV bolus of 5-20 mcg/kg; maintenance infusion of 0.5-1.5 mcg/kg/min; incremental boluses of 5-10 mcg/kg as needed. Induction of anesthesia: 50-100 mcg/kg IV.
100 mcg (one spray) intranasally as needed for breakthrough pain; may repeat once after 15-30 minutes if needed; do not exceed 2 doses per episode and 4 doses per day.
None Documented
Clinical Note
moderateAlfentanil + Torasemide
"The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Alfentanil is combined with Torasemide."
Clinical Note
moderateAlfentanil + Etacrynic acid
"The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Alfentanil is combined with Etacrynic acid."
Clinical Note
moderateAlfentanil + Furosemide
"The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Alfentanil is combined with Furosemide."
Clinical Note
moderateAlfentanil + Bumetanide
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life: 90–111 minutes (1.5–1.85 hours). Clinically, context-sensitive half-time is short (~40 min after 3-hour infusion) due to rapid redistribution and metabolism.
Terminal elimination half-life: 6–10 hours (mean approximately 7 hours) following nasal administration; prolonged in hepatic impairment.
Primarily hepatic metabolism via CYP3A4; <1% excreted unchanged in urine; metabolites (mainly noralfentanil) excreted renally. Biliary/fecal excretion of metabolites accounts for ~30%.
Renal excretion of metabolites (mostly fentanyl metabolites, primarily norfentanyl): approximately 75%; fecal excretion: approximately 9%; less than 10% excreted as unchanged fentanyl in urine.
Category C
Category C
Opioid Analgesic
Opioid Analgesic
"The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Alfentanil is combined with Bumetanide."