Pricing
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All price changes →Indications & Uses
Remifentanil is given by IV administration only. Doctors use it as an analgesic during the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia, for both inpatient and outpatient procedures. It can also be continued as an analgesic into the immediate postoperative period in adult patients, but only under the direct supervision of an anesthesia practitioner in a postoperative anesthesia care unit or an intensive care setting. In adult patients, it is also used as an analgesic component of monitored anesthesia care.
Pharmacology
Remifentanil is a µ-opioid agonist. It starts working quickly, reaches its peak effect quickly, and its action is short. Opioid antagonists such as naloxone block the µ-opioid activity of Remifentanil.
Unlike other opioids, Remifentanil is broken down rapidly. Nonspecific esterases in blood and tissue hydrolyse the propanoic acid-methyl ester linkage. Remifentanil is not a substrate for plasma cholinesterase (pseudocholinesterase), so patients with atypical cholinesterase are expected to have a normal duration of action.
Dosage Reference
Reference Information Only
Dosages shown are general references from official sources. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized dosing.
Adults:
Remifentanil Hydrochloride is for IV use only. If it is given as a continuous infusion, use an infusion device and nothing else. The injection site should be close to the venous cannula. When the infusion is stopped, clear all the IV tubing.
Side Effects
Remifentanil causes the side effects that are typical of µ-opioids, such as respiratory depression, bradycardia, hypotension and skeletal muscle rigidity. These go away within minutes of stopping the infusion or lowering the infusion rate of Remifentanil. Other side effects are nausea, vomiting, shivering, fever, dizziness, visual disturbance, headache, respiratory depression, apnea, pruritus, tachycardia, postoperative pain, hypertension, agitation, hypoxia, chills, flushing, warm sensation, constipation, premature ventricular beats, myocardial ischemia, atrial fibrillation, decreased cardiac output, coagulation disorder, arrhythmia, ventricular fibrillation, postoperative complication, third degree heart block, hemorrhage, perioperative complication, involuntary movement(s), thrombocytopenia, oliguria, anemia, atrial fibrillation, confusion, ache, anxiety, diarrhea, edema, atrial flutter, hallucinations, pneumonia, pharyngitis, decreased mental acuity, dyspnea, cough, renal insufficiency, urine retention, cerebral infarction, premature ventricular beats, cerebral ischemia, paresthesia, seizure, sleep disorder and bronchospasm.
Cautions & Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
Remifentanil is not recommended as the only agent in general anesthesia. Loss of consciousness can't be assured, and apnea, muscle rigidity and tachycardia occur often. It should be given only by clinicians who are specifically trained to use intravenous anesthetics. Qualified staff and adequate facilities must also be available to treat respiratory depression after surgery. Respiratory depression eases about 10 minutes after a Remifentanil infusion is stopped. The narcotic antagonist naloxone has not been shown to reverse it any more effectively or promptly than simply stopping Remifentanil. Naloxone can still be used to manage severe respiratory depression or muscle rigidity. Bolus doses of Remifentanil should not be given to patients who are breathing on their own and are also receiving a continuous infusion of Remifentanil. A rate greater than 0.2 mcg/kg/min is usually linked with hypoventilation (a respiratory rate of less than 8 breaths/minute). The manufacturer strongly recommends supplemental oxygen whenever Remifentanil is given. The analgesic effect wears off within 5 to 10 minutes after Remifentanil is stopped. So adequate postoperative analgesia should be established before the infusion is discontinued. Once therapy has stopped, the intravenous tubing that carried the infusion should be cleared of residual drug. Vital signs and oxygenation must be monitored continually while Remifentanil is being given. Bradycardia has been reported with Remifentanil, and so has hypotension.
Contraindications
Remifentanil must not be given by the epidural or intrathecal route, because the formulation contains glycine. It is also contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to remifentanil, for example those who have had anaphylaxis.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Remifentanil Hydrochloride is Pregnancy Category C. Doctors don't know whether it passes into human milk. Fentanyl analogs do pass into milk, though, so a nursing woman should be given Remifentanil Hydrochloride with caution.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Overdose
An overdose of remifentanil hydrochloride is expected to cause apnea, chest-wall rigidity, seizures, hypoxemia, hypotension and bradycardia.
⚠️ In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Storage
Store Remifentanil Hydrochloride at or below 30ºC. Keep it away from light, and keep it out of the reach of children.
Common questions about Remifen 1 mg
What is Remifen 1 mg IV Injection?
Remifen 1 mg IV Injection is a medicine that contains Remifentanil Hydrochloride. It is made by Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd. It belongs to the Opioid analgesics group of medicines.
What is Remifen used for?
Remifentanil is given by IV administration only. Doctors use it as an analgesic during the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia, for both inpatient and outpatient procedures.
What are the side effects of Remifen?
Remifentanil causes the side effects that are typical of µ-opioids, such as respiratory depression, bradycardia, hypotension and skeletal muscle rigidity. These go away within minutes of stopping the infusion or lowering the infusion rate of Remifentanil.
Can I take Remifen during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Remifentanil Hydrochloride is Pregnancy Category C. Doctors don't know whether it passes into human milk. Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
What happens if I take too much Remifen?
An overdose of remifentanil hydrochloride is expected to cause apnea, chest-wall rigidity, seizures, hypoxemia, hypotension and bradycardia. In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
How should I store Remifen?
Store Remifentanil Hydrochloride at or below 30ºC. Keep it away from light, and keep it out of the reach of children.
Do I need a prescription for Remifen?
Remifen is a prescription (Rx) medicine. Take it as your doctor advises.