Sufentanil

sufentanil, also known as sufentanyl and by the brand name sufenta, is an extremely potent synthetic piperidine opioid analgesic. sufentanil has a rapid onset and short mechanism and is used medically as an analgesic in surgical procedures or for the management of post-operative pain. sufentanil is roughly 500 to 1,000 times more potent than pharmaceutical grade morphine and is approximately 10 times more potent than pharmaceutical grade fentanyl. the subjective effects of sufentanil are similar to those of heroin, with the exception that many users report a significantly less euphoric “high” associated with the drug and stronger respiratory depression, sedation and pain relief. sufentanil is the most potent opioid analgesic currently used in human medicine.

chemistry

sufentanil is synthetic piperidine that is similar in structure to both fentanyl and acetylfentanyl. one of the key differences is that one of the phenyl groups in sufentanil has been replaced with a thiophene or thiofuran group. thiophene groups can typically replace phenyl groups without a significant drop in potency. the empirical formula of sufentanil is c₂₂h₃₀n₂o₂s and has a molar mass of 386.552 grams per mole.

pharmacology

the recreational effects of sufentanil occur because opioids structurally mimic endogenous endorphins which are naturally found within the body and also work upon the μ-opioid receptor set. the way in which opioids structurally mimic these natural endorphins results in their euphoria, pain relief and anxiolytic effects. this is because endorphins are responsible for reducing pain, causing sleepiness, and feelings of pleasure. they can be released in response to pain, strenuous exercise, orgasm, or general excitement. like endorphins, sufentanil is an extremely potent μ-opioid agonist.

sufentanil has an extremely short biological half life of only 162 minutes.