Alfentanil Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 25, 2024.
Applies to alfentanil: intravenous solution.
Important warnings
This medicine can cause some serious health issues
Intravenous route (solution)
Alfentanil HCl injection exposes users to risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death.
Assess patient’s risk before prescribing and monitor regularly for these behaviors and conditions.
Serious side effects of alfentanil
Along with its needed effects, alfentanil may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking alfentanil:
More common
- blurred vision
- chest pain or discomfort
- confusion
- difficult or troubled breathing
- dizziness
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- fainting
- fast, slow, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
- headache
- irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
- lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
- nervousness
- not breathing
- pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
- pounding in the ears
- sweating
- trouble breathing
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Rare
- cough
- noisy breathing
- rigid muscles of the neck, arms, and legs
- tightness in the chest
Incidence not known
- agitation
- cough
- darkening of the skin
- diarrhea
- difficulty with swallowing
- fainting
- fever
- hives, itching, or skin rash
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- overactive reflexes
- poor coordination
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- restlessness
- shivering
- sweating
- talking or acting with excitement you cannot control
- trembling or shaking
- twitching
- vomiting
Other side effects of alfentanil
Some side effects of alfentanil may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- drowsiness
- sleepiness
Rare
- false or unusual sense of well-being
For healthcare professionals
Applies to alfentanil: injectable solution.
General
The most commonly reported adverse reactions include apnea, rigidity, and bradycardia.[Ref]
Respiratory
- Common (1% to 10%): Apnea
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypercarbia, laryngospasm
- Frequency not reported: Life-threatening respiratory depression, postoperative respiratory depression, bronchospasm, hypoxia, bradypnea, hiccups, hypercapnia, epistaxis, airway complication of anesthesia, endotracheal intubation complication
- Postmarketing reports: Respiratory arrest, cough[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
- Postmarketing reports: Anaphylaxis[Ref]
Cardiovascular
- Very common (10% or more): Arrhythmia, bradycardia (14%), hypertension (18%), hypotension (18%), tachycardia (12%)
- Frequency not reported: Asystole
- Postmarketing reports: Cardiac arrest[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
- Very common (10% or more): Chest wall rigidity (17%),
- Common (1% to 10%): Skeletal muscle movements, muscle rigidity
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Skeletal muscle rigidity of neck and extremities[Ref]
Nervous system
- Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, movement disorders, dyskinesia
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Headache
- Frequency not reported: Serotonin syndrome, seizures, sleepiness/postoperative sedation, somnolence, neurological anesthetic complication
- Postmarketing reports: Myoclonic movements[Ref]
Psychiatric
- Common (1% to 10%): Euphoric mood
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Postoperative confusion, postoperative euphoria, excitation
- Frequency not reported: Addiction abuse, misuse, agitation, crying
- Postmarketing reports: Disorientation[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
- Very common (10% or more): Nausea (28%), vomiting (18%)[Ref]
Dermatologic
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Itching, urticaria
- Frequency not reported: Pruritus, allergic dermatitis, hyperhidrosis
- Postmarketing reports: Erythema, rash[Ref]
Local
- Common (1% to 10%): Injection site pain[Ref]
Endocrine
- Postmarketing reports: Adrenal insufficiency, androgen deficiency[Ref]
Adrenal insufficiency has been reported with opioid use, more often following greater than 1 month of use. Androgen deficiency has occurred with chronic use of opioids.[Ref]
Genitourinary
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urinary retention[Ref]
Ocular
- Common (1% to 10%): Visual disturbance
- Frequency not reported: Blurred vision
- Postmarketing reports: Miosis[Ref]
Other
- Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue, chills
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Shivering
- Postmarketing reports: Pyrexia[Ref]
References
1. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
3. (2017) "Product Information. Alfentanil Hydrochloride (alfentanil)." Akorn Inc
More about alfentanil
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Reviews (1)
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: Opioids (narcotic analgesics)
- Breastfeeding
Patient resources
Professional resources
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Further information
Alfentanil side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.