Sufentanil
FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Dsuvia
- Brand Names
- Dsuvia
- Dosage Form
- POWDER
- Product Type
- BULK INGREDIENT
⚠ Boxed Warning (Black Box)
WARNING: SERIOUS AND LIFE-THREATENING RISKS FROM USE OF DSUVIA Accidental Exposure and DSUVIA Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Program Accidental exposure to or ingestion of DSUVIA, especially in children, can result in respiratory depression and death. Because of the potential for life-threatening respiratory depression due to accidental exposure, DSUVIA is only available through a restricted program called the DSUVIA REMS Program [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 , 5.2 )] . DSUVIA must only be dispensed to patients in a certified medically supervised healthcare setting. Discontinue use of DSUVIA prior to discharge or transfer from the certified medically supervised healthcare setting. Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse Because the use of DSUVIA 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 DSUVIA, and reassess all patients regularly for the development of these behaviors or conditions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with use of DSUVIA. Monitor for respiratory depression, especially during initiation of DSUVIA [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] . Risks From Concomitant Use With Benzodiazepines Or Other CNS Depressants Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing of DSUVIA and benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 ) and Drug Interactions ( 7 )] . Cytochrome P450 3A4 Interaction The concomitant use of DSUVIA with all cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitors may result in an increase in sufentanil plasma concentrations, which could increase or prolong adverse drug reactions and may cause potentially fatal respiratory depression. In addition, discontinuation of a concomitantly used cytochrome P450 3A4 inducer may result in an increase in sufentanil plasma concentration. Monitor patients receiving DSUVIA and any CYP3A4 inhibitor or inducer [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 ), Drug Interactions ( 7 ), and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . WARNING: SERIOUS AND LIFE-THREATENING RISKS FROM USE OF DSUVIA See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Accidental exposure to or ingestion of DSUVIA, especially in children, can result in respiratory depression and death.Because of the risk of life-threatening respiratory depression from accidental exposure, DSUVIA is available only through a restricted program called the DSUVIA REMS Program [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 , 5.2 )] . DSUVIA should only be administered by a healthcare provider in a certified medically supervised healthcare setting. Discontinue use of DSUVIA prior to discharge or transfer from the certified medically supervised setting. ( 5.1 , 5.2 ) DSUVIA exposes users to the risks of opioid addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death. Assess patient’s risk before prescribing, and reassess regularly for these behaviors and conditions. ( 5.3 ) Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur. Monitor closely, especially during initiation. ( 5.4 ) Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. ( 5.5 , 7 ) Concomitant use with CYP3A4 inhibitors (or discontinuation of CYP3A4 inducers) can result in a fatal overdose of sufentanil. ( 5.6 , 7 , 12.3 )
Description
11 DESCRIPTION DSUVIA contains one 30 mcg sufentanil tablet housed in a disposable single-dose applicator (SDA). The DSUVIA tablet is an immediate release formulation intended for sublingual administration. Each tablet is blue, flat-faced with a diameter of 3 mm. The IUPAC chemical name for sufentanil is N-[4-(methoxymethyl)-1-[2-(2-thienyl)ethyl]-4-piperidinyl]-N-phenylpropanamide citrate. Sufentanil citrate has a molecular weight of 578.4 (molecular weight of free sufentanil base is 386.55), its empirical formula is C 28 H 38 N 2 O 9 S ● C 6 H 8 N 2 O 7 , and its chemical structure is shown below: DSUVIA tablets inactive ingredients are: mannitol; dicalcium phosphate anhydrous; hypromellose; croscarmellose sodium; FD&C Blue #2; stearic acid and magnesium stearate. sufentanil-figure-06
What Is Sufentanil Used For?
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE DSUVIA is indicated for use in adults in a certified medically supervised healthcare setting, such as hospitals, surgical centers, and emergency departments, for the management of acute pain severe enough to require an opioid analgesic and for which alternative treatments are inadequate. Limitations of Use: Not for home use or for use in children. Discontinue treatment with DSUVIA before patients leave the certified medically supervised healthcare setting. Not for use for more than 72 hours. The use of DSUVIA beyond 72 hours has not been studied. Only to be administered by a healthcare provider. Because of the risks of addiction, abuse, misuse, overdose, and death, which can occur at any dosage or duration and persist over the course of therapy, [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] , reserve opioid analgesics, including DSUVIA, for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are ineffective, not tolerated, or would be otherwise inadequate to provide sufficient management of pain. DSUVIA contains sufentanil, an opioid agonist, and is indicated for use in adults in a certified medically supervised healthcare setting, such as hospitals, surgical centers, and emergency departments, for the management of acute pain severe enough to require an opioid analgesic and for which alternative treatments are inadequate. Limitations of Use: Not for home use or for use in children. Discontinue treatment with DSUVIA before patients leave the certified medically supervised healthcare setting. ( 1 ) Not for use for more than 72 hours. Only to be administered by a healthcare provider. Because of the risks of addiction, abuse, misuse, overdose, and death, which can occur at any dosage or duration and persist over the course of therapy, reserve opioid analgesics, including DSUVIA, for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are ineffective, not tolerated, or would be otherwise inadequate to provide sufficient management of pain. ( 1 , 5.3 )
Dosage and Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Recommended dosage is 30 mcg sublingually as needed with a minimum of one hour between doses. ( 2.2 ) Use the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration of time consistent with individual patient treatment goals. Reserve the use of additional doses of DSUVIA for patients in whom a single dose is insufficiently effective and in whom the expected benefits of using additional doses of an opioid clearly outweigh the substantial risks ( 2.2 , 5 ). Respiratory depression can occur at any time during opioid therapy, especially when initiating and following additional doses of DSUVIA. Consider this risk when initiating dosing and when making dose adjustments ( 2.2 , 5 ). Do not exceed 12 tablets in 24 hours. ( 2.2 ) See the Full Prescribing Information for administration information. ( 2.3 ) Do not rapidly reduce or abruptly discontinue DSUVIA in a physically-dependent patient. ( 9.3 ) 2.1 Important Administration Instructions DSUVIA is only to be administered by healthcare professionals who are knowledgeable about the use of opioids and how to mitigate the associated risks. DSUVIA is only to be used in a certified medically supervised healthcare setting, such as hospitals, surgical centers, and emergency departments. DSUVIA treatment must be discontinued prior to the patient leaving the certified medically supervised setting. 2.2 Dosage Information The recommended dosage of DSUVIA is 30 mcg sublingually as needed with a minimum of 1 hour between doses. Do not exceed 12 tablets in 24 hours. Use the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration of time consistent with individual patient treatment goals [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5 )] . Because the risk of overdose increases as opioid doses increase, reserve the use of additional doses of DSUVIA for patients in whom a single dose is insufficiently effective and in whom the expected benefits of using additional doses of an opioid clearly outweigh the substantial risks. The maximum cumulative daily dose of sufentanil is 360 mcg or 12 tablets (12 tablets x 30 mcg/dose). Initiate the dosing regimen for each patient individually, taking into account the patient’s underlying cause and severity of pain, prior analgesic treatment and response, and risk factors for addition, abuse, and misuse [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . Respiratory depression can occur at any time during opioid therapy, especially when initiating and following additional doses of DSUVIA. Consider this risk when initiating dosing and when making dose adjustments [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5 )] . 2.3 Administration of DSUVIA
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are described, or described in greater detail, in other sections: Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia and Allodynia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Adrenal Insufficiency [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.10 )] Severe Hypotension [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.11 )] Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.13 )] Seizures [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.14 )] Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.16 )] The most commonly reported adverse reactions (≥ 2%) were nausea, headache, vomiting, dizziness and hypotension. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Vertical Pharmaceuticals, LLC at 1-855-925-8476 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. In controlled and uncontrolled studies, the safety of DSUVIA was evaluated in a total of 646 patients with moderate-to-severe acute postoperative pain or pain due to trauma which required opioid analgesia. The most frequently reported adverse reactions ≥ 2% that were probably or possibly related to study treatment in the one pivotal, placebo-controlled trial (Study SAP301) are presented in Table 1 . Discontinuation of study drug due to adverse events occurred in 0.9% of DSUVIA-treated patients (1 out of 107 patients) and 3.7% of placebo-treated patients (2 out of 54 placebo treated patients). The most common reasons for discontinuation of study drug due to adverse reactions in SAP301 were oxygen saturation decreased (0.9% in the DSUVIA group), and dizziness, hemiparesis, somnolence and syncope in the placebo group (1.9% each). Table 1 : Adverse Reactions Occurring in ≥ 2% of Patients and for Which Rate is Higher in DSUVIA than Placebo Group: Placebo-Controlled Study SAP301 Possibly or Probably Related Adverse Reactions DSUVIA n=107 Placebo * n=54 Nausea 29.0% 22.2% Headache 12.1% 11.1% Vomiting 5.6% 1.9% Dizziness 5.6% 3.7% Hypotension 4.7% 3.7% *Morphine 1 mg IV was permitted as rescue medication Other Reported Adverse Reactions Additional treatment related adverse drug reactions which occurred in at least 0.1% of the patients exposed to 30 mcg or higher of sublingual sufentanil are described below. Cardiac Disorders: sinus tachycardia, bradycardia. Gastrointestinal Disorders: constipation, dyspepsia, flatulence, diarrhea, dry mouth, eructation, retching, abdominal discomfort, abdominal distension, abdominal pain upper, gastritis, postoperative ileus, hypoesthesia oral. Investigations: oxygen saturation decreased, respiratory rate decreased, urine output decreased, aspartate aminotransferase increased, electrocardiogram abnormal, hepatic enzyme increased. Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders: muscle spasms. Nervous System Disorders: somnolence, sedation, presyncope, lethargy, memory impairment. Psychiatric Disorders: insomnia, confusional state, anxiety, agitation, disorientation, euphoric mood, hallucination, mental status changes. Renal and Urinary Disorders: urinary retention, urinary hesitation, oliguria, renal failure. Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders: hypoxia, bradypnea, hiccups, apnea, atelectasis, hypoventilation, respiratory distress, respiratory failure. Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: pruritus, hyperhidrosis, rash. Vascular Disorders: hypotension, hypertension, orthostatic hypotension, flushing. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of sufentanil. Because these reactions are reported...
Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Table 2 includes clinically significant drug interactions with DSUVIA. Table 2 : Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with DSUVIA Inhibitors of CYP3A4 Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of DSUVIA and CYP3A4 inhibitors can increase the plasma concentration of sufentanil, resulting in increased or prolonged opioid effects. After stopping a CYP3A4 inhibitor, as the effects of the inhibitor decline, the sufentanil plasma concentration will decrease [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] , resulting in decreased opioid efficacy or a withdrawal syndrome in patients who had developed physical dependence to sufentanil. Intervention: If concomitant use is necessary, consider an alternate medication that permits dose titration. Monitor patients for respiratory depression and sedation at frequent intervals. If a CYP3A4 inhibitor is discontinued, consider an alternate medication that permits dose titration. Monitor for signs of opioid withdrawal. Examples: Macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin), azole-antifungal agents (e.g. ketoconazole), protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir) CYP3A4 Inducers Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of DSUVIA and CYP3A4 inducers can decrease the plasma concentration of sufentanil [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] , resulting in decreased efficacy or onset of a withdrawal syndrome in patients who have developed physical dependence to sufentanil [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] . After stopping a CYP3A4 inducer, as the effects of the inducer decline, the sufentanil plasma concentration will increase [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] , which could increase or prolong both the therapeutic effects and adverse reactions, and may cause serious respiratory depression. Intervention: If concomitant use is necessary, consider an alternate medication that permits dose titration. Monitor for signs of opioid withdrawal. If a CYP3A4 inducer is discontinued, consider less frequent dosing of DSUVIA and monitor for signs of respiratory depression. Examples: Rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin Benzodiazepines and other Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants Clinical Impact: Due to additive pharmacologic effect, the concomitant use of benzodiazepines or CNS depressants, including alcohol, can increase the risk of hypotension, respiratory depression, profound sedation, coma, and death [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] . Intervention: Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required. Follow patients closely for signs of respiratory depression and sedation [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )]. Examples: Alcohol, benzodiazepines and other sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics, gabapentinoids (gabapentin or pregabalin), other opioids. Serotonergic Drugs Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of opioids with other drugs...
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Use of DSUVIA is contraindicated in patients with:
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Use of opioid analgesics for an extended period of time during pregnancy may cause neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.16 )] . There are no available data with sufentanil in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage. In animal reproduction studies, embryolethality and maternal toxicity were noted in rabbits when sufentanil was administered intravenously at 4.4 times the maximum human daily dose of 360 mcg/60 kg/day, based on a body surface area comparison during organogenesis. Decreased live fetuses and pup survival were noted in rats treated with sufentanil late in gestation and throughout lactation at doses below the human daily dose of 360 mcg. No malformations were observed in either rats or rabbits at doses below the human daily dose of 360 mcg [see Data] . The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reactions Use of opioid analgesics for an extended period of time during pregnancy for medical or non-medical purposes can result in physical dependence in the neonate and neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome shortly after birth. Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome presents as irritability, hyperactivity and abnormal sleep pattern, high pitched cry, tremor, vomiting, diarrhea and failure to gain weight. The onset, duration, and severity of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome vary based on the specific opioid used, duration of use, timing and amount of last maternal use, and rate of elimination of the drug by the newborn. Observe newborns for symptoms of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and...
Overdosage
10 OVERDOSAGE Clinical Presentation Acute overdose with sufentanil can be manifested by respiratory depression, somnolence progressing to stupor or coma, skeletal muscle flaccidity, cold and clammy skin, constricted pupils, and, in some cases, pulmonary edema, bradycardia, hypotension, hypoglycemia, partial or complete airway obstruction, atypical snoring, and death. Marked mydriasis rather than miosis may be seen with hypoxia in overdose situations [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.2 )] . Toxic leukoencephalopathy has been reported after opioid overdose and can present hours, days, or weeks after apparent recovery from the initial intoxication. Treatment of Overdose In case of overdose, priorities are the reestablishment of a patent and protected airway and institution of assisted or controlled ventilation, if needed. Employ other supportive measures (including oxygen and vasopressors) in the management of circulatory shock and pulmonary edema as indicated. Cardiac arrest or arrhythmias will require advanced life-support measures. For clinically significant respiratory or circulatory depression secondary to sufentanil overdose, administer an opioid overdose reversal agent, such as naloxone or nalmefene. Because the duration of opioid reversal is expected to be less than the duration of action of sufentanil in DSUVIA, carefully monitor the patient until spontaneous respiration is reliably re-established. If the response to an opioid overdose reversal agent is suboptimal or only brief in nature, administer additional antagonist as directed by the product’s prescribing information.
How Supplied
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING 16.1 How Supplied Each DSUVIA tablet 30 mcg is housed in a single-dose applicator (SDA) and packaged within a tamper-evident laminate foil pouch. For distribution there is one presentation:
About This Information
This drug information is sourced from FDA-approved labeling via the openFDA database. It is intended for educational and reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about medication. Drug information may be updated by the FDA; check with your pharmacist for the most current information.
What are side effects?
Side effects are unwanted reactions that can occur when taking a medication. They range from mild (headache, nausea) to severe (allergic reactions, organ damage). Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity varies. Report any concerning side effects to your doctor.
What are drug interactions?
Drug interactions occur when a medication is affected by another drug, food, or supplement. Interactions can make medications less effective or cause dangerous side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.