In the world of pain management, there are specific substances that are surrounded by infamy. These include fentanyl, carfentanil, oxycodone (OxyContin), and morphine, to name a few. As the opioid crisis rages on, knowledge pertaining to these drugs can be useful in avoiding potential scenarios of abuse, addiction, or overdose. Sufentanil is another substance that has been developed and rivals the potency of fentanyl, with options for intravenous as well as sublingual administration. Banyan’s Chicago addiction treatment center is going over Sufentanil’s side effects.
What Is Sufentanil?
Sufentanil is a synthetic opioid analgesic drug that is said to be approximately 5 to 10 times more potent than fentanyl. This class of drugs operates by attaching to opioid receptors in the brain, which are responsible for releasing signals that muffle the user’s feelings of pain. They also intensify feelings of pleasure which can make these drugs particularly addictive and risky to take without the close monitoring of a medical professional.
Sufentanil is typically used as anesthesia for medical procedures like surgery and can be used in combination with other medicines or by itself. It is not believed to be safe for children under 2 years of age, and caution should be exercised for patients that are pregnant or breastfeeding. It can be taken as a pill or injected intravenously, and there are a number of Sufentanil side effects that are worth keeping in mind before use.
Side Effects of Sufentanil
Understanding the ways a drug can negatively affect one’s health is crucial to consider before taking it. That being said, the way a person ingests the drug can play a part in the side effects that arise.
Sufenta (injection) side effects can include:
- Slowed heart rate
- Feelings of tiredness
- Stiffness of the limbs
- Respiratory depression
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abnormal blood pressure
Side effects of the Sufentanil sublingual tablet include:
- Noticeable tiredness
- Faintness or lightheadedness
- Shallow breathing
- Tingling feelings around the body
- Severe constipation
- Sped-up heartbeat
Taking a sublingual pill on one’s own can also make it more likely to overdose than an injection administered by a medical professional.
Symptoms of overdose include:
- Blue discoloration of lips or fingernails
- Constricted or pinpoint pupils
- Decreased levels of responsiveness
- Labored breathing
- Intense tiredness
- Swelling in the ankles
If you fear that you or someone else is suffering from an overdose, call 911 or take them to the nearest emergency room. An opioid overdose is nothing to joke about and can put a person’s life at risk.
Opioid Addiction Treatment at Banyan Chicago
While Sufentanil is not one of the more common names, any form of opioid addiction presents a great deal of risk to the person suffering from it. This is why Banyan offers Illinois addiction treatment programs for opioid abuse, which can help you turn your life around for the better. Our facility offers a variety of care levels that can comprehensively address the matter at hand. An example is our Chicago IOP, which allows patients to receive similar benefits to our residential options while still maintaining a sense of flexibility.
To learn more about Banyan’s Illinois drug rehab, call one of our intake specialists at 888-280-4763 today.
Source:
- ScienceDirect - Sufentanil
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