What Is Fentanyl Citrate Injection Brand Names UK And Why You Should Care
Fentanyl Citrate Injection in the UK: A Guide to Brand Names, Uses, and Clinical Overview
Fentanyl citrate is a powerful artificial opioid analgesic, widely recognized in scientific medication for its rapid beginning and brief period of action. Within the United Kingdom's healthcare system, fentanyl plays a critical function in perioperative care, intensive care, and the management of severe, serious pain. Since of its potency— approximated to be 50 to 100 times that of morphine— its administration via injection is strictly controlled and normally booked for health center settings.
For health care professionals, students, or patients seeking to understand the pharmacological landscape in the UK, recognizing the readily available brand name names and manufacturers of fentanyl citrate injection is essential. This blog post offers an extensive summary of the trademark name, scientific indications, and regulatory status of fentanyl citrate injections in the United Kingdom.
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What is Fentanyl Citrate?
Fentanyl citrate is a phenylpiperidine derivative that serves as a potent agonist at the μ-opioid (mu-opioid) receptors in the main worried system. When administered through visit website (IV) or intramuscular (IM) injection, it provides fast analgesia. In Fentanyl Citrate Solubility UK , it is classified as a Class A controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and falls under Schedule 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001.
Its main appeal in surgical settings is its ability to offer extreme discomfort relief while keeping hemodynamic stability, making it a preferred choice for cardiac surgical treatments and for patients with vulnerable cardiovascular systems.
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Fentanyl Citrate Injection Brand Names and Manufacturers in the UK
In the UK market, lots of pharmaceutical products are recommended by their generic name (Fentanyl) instead of a trademark name. Nevertheless, a number of makers provide the NHS and private healthcare facilities with particular solutions. Historically, the most popular brand name related to fentanyl citrate was Sublimaze, initially established by Janssen Pharmaceutica. While the name Sublimaze is still used worldwide and colloquially in some UK theatres, most of the supply in the UK is now provided by generic production experts.
Table 1: Common Manufacturers and Product Details in the UK
Producer
Product Description
Typical Strengths
Hameln Pharma
Fentanyl Citrate Injection BP
50 micrograms/ml (2ml, 10ml ampoules)
Wockhardt UK
Fentanyl Citrate Injection
50 micrograms/ml (2ml, 10ml ampoules)
Martindale Pharma
Fentanyl Citrate
50 micrograms/ml (2ml, 10ml, 20ml ampoules)
Janssen-Cilag
Sublimaze (Historical Brand)
50 micrograms/ml
Pirimal Critical Care
Fentanyl Citrate Injection
50 micrograms/ml
While the brand name “Sublimaze” may still appear on some procurement lists, the UK medical landscape is dominated by Hameln and Martindale generic variations, which are bioequivalent to the initial top quality product.
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Clinical Indications for Injection
Fentanyl citrate injection is used throughout numerous departments, from the Emergency Department (ED) to the Operating Theatre. Its use is typically divided into 3 classifications:
1. Anaesthesia
Fentanyl is a cornerstone of contemporary anaesthesia. It is utilized as an analgesic supplement during the induction and upkeep of general anaesthesia. It assists blunt the body's physiological “tension response” to intubation and surgical incision.
2. Post-operative Recovery
In the Recovery Room (PACU), fentanyl may be administered in little, titrated boluses to manage instant post-surgical discomfort before shifts are made to longer-acting opioids or oral medications.
3. Intensive Care (ICU)
In the Intensive Care Unit, fentanyl is frequently utilized as an infusion to provide continuous analgesia for patients who are mechanically aerated. Its brief half-life enables more foreseeable “wake-up” tests compared to drugs like morphine.
Table 2: Clinical Application Summary
Application
Function of Fentanyl
Pre-medication
To offer sedation and analgesia before moving to theatre.
Induction
To comply with induction agents (like Propofol) for a smooth shift to unconsciousness.
Maintenance
To manage the surgical discomfort stimulus throughout the procedure.
Analgesic Supplement
Used in local anaesthesia (like epidurals) to improve discomfort relief.
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Mechanism of Action and Pharmacokinetics
Fentanyl works by binding to mu-opioid receptors. This binding hinders ascending discomfort paths, changing the understanding of and action to pain. It likewise increases the pain threshold.
- Onset of Action: 1— 2 minutes (Intravenous).
- Peak Effect: 3— 5 minutes.
- Duration: 30— 60 minutes (making it highly titratable).
- Metabolic process: Primarily in the liver via the CYP3A4 enzyme.
- Excretion: Mostly via the kidneys.
Since fentanyl is highly lipid-soluble, it crosses the blood-brain barrier almost immediately, which discusses why the analgesic impact is felt so much faster than with morphine or oxycodone.
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Safety and Side Effects
Just like all potent opioids, fentanyl citrate carries a danger of substantial negative effects, particularly associating with the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
Typical Side Effects:
- Respiratory Depression: The most severe danger; it reduces the drive to breathe.
- Bradycardia: A slow heart rate.
- Hypotension: Low blood pressure.
- Muscle Rigidity: Specifically “wooden chest syndrome,” where the chest wall becomes too stiff to ventilate easily (usually accompanies high-dose quick IV administration).
- Nausea and Vomiting: Common in the post-operative phase.
- Pruritus: Itching, often around the nose or torso.
Contraindications and Cautions:
- Known hypersensitivity to fentanyl or other opioid agonists.
- Respiratory anxiety in the absence of resuscitative devices.
- Concurrent use of Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) within the last 14 days (danger of serotonin syndrome).
Myasthenia gravis (due to muscle-relaxing interactions).
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Regulation and Storage in the UK
In the United Kingdom, fentanyl citrate is strictly controlled to prevent diversion and abuse.
- Storage: It should be kept in a locked “Controlled Drugs” (CD) cabinet that meets the British Standard for security.
- Record Keeping: Every dosage administered need to be recorded in a Controlled Drugs Register, signed by 2 certified health care experts (typically a physician and a nurse, or 2 nurses).
Disposal: Any squandered or unused part of an ampoule should be seen and destroyed according to local trust policy (typically using a denaturing kit).
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FAQ: Fentanyl Citrate Injection in the UK
1. Is Sublimaze still offered in the UK?
While the trademark name Sublimaze is the “innovator” product, the majority of UK health centers currently use generic variations manufactured by business like Hameln or Martindale. These are pharmacologically similar.
2. What is the basic concentration of Fentanyl injection in the UK?
The basic concentration is 50 micrograms per millilitre (50 mcg/ml). It is usually readily available in 2ml (100mcg) and 10ml (500mcg) ampoules.
3. Can Fentanyl injection be offered in the house?
No. Fentanyl citrate injection is almost solely used in health center settings (theatre, ICU, A&E) because of the threat of rapid breathing depression, which needs immediate access to oxygen and resuscitation devices.
4. How does click here compare to Morphine in strength?
Fentanyl is around 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine. This indicates 100 micrograms of fentanyl is approximately equivalent to 10 milligrams of morphine.
5. What is the antidote for a Fentanyl overdose?
Naloxone (brand Prenoxad or generic) is the standard opioid villain utilized to reverse the impacts of fentanyl if breathing depression occurs.
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Summary
Fentanyl citrate remains among the most crucial medications in the UK's surgical and intensive care environments. While it might be referred to by the historic brand Sublimaze, it is mainly utilized in its generic kind supplied by makers such as Hameln, Wockhardt, and Martindale Pharma.
Its high strength and rapid start make it an exceptional tool for managing sharp pain and assisting in anaesthesia, however these very same qualities require the highest level of medical monitoring and regulative oversight. Comprehending the brand names and the medicinal profile of this drug is vital for safe practice and patient safety within the NHS and the wider UK health care sector.
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Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not make up medical recommendations. Health care experts ought to constantly describe the British National Formulary (BNF) or their local Trust standards for dosing and administration procedures.
