Remifentanil injection

What is Remifentanil injection?

REMIFENTANIL (Ultiva®) helps to induce and maintain anesthesia and sedation during and after surgery or other procedures. An anesthesiologist or specially trained health care professional will give remifentanil to you. Generic remifentanil injections are not available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive Remifentanil?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• an infection

• heart disease

• high or low blood pressure

• intestinal disease

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• lung disease or breathing difficulties

• seizure disorder

• an allergic or unusual reaction to remifentanil, alfentanil, sufentanil, meperidine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should this medicine be used?

Remifentanil is for infusion into a vein. It is given by a specially trained health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

What drug(s) may interact with Remifentanil?

• alcohol

• dronabinol

• medicines for depression (examples: MAOIs, nefazodone, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, or sertraline)

• medicines for high blood pressure

• medicines for psychiatric disorders

• medicines for seizures

• medicines for sleep

• prescription medicines for pain

• St. John's wort or any herbal preparations containing St. John's wort

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you that are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also, tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking Remifentanil?

Remifentanil is used mostly during surgery or while you are recovering from surgery. Tell your prescriber or health care professional if you continue to have pain or if you have new or different type of pain.

Make sure to tell your anesthesiologist or other health care professional if you are taking any herbal products. Ideally, you should stop taking any herbal products at least 2—3 weeks before your surgery to decrease the risk of any side effects. Some products may increase the effects of remifentanil.

What side effects may I notice from receiving Remifentanil?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

Rare or uncommon:

• breathing difficulties, wheezing

• cold, clammy skin

• seizures

• slow or fast heartbeat

• skin rash

• unusual weakness

More common:

• confusion

• lightheadedness or fainting spells

• decrease or difficulty passing urine

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• blurred vision

• clumsiness, unsteadiness

• constipation

• dizziness, drowsiness

• dry mouth

• flushing

• headache

• itching

• nausea/vomiting

Where can I keep my medicine?

This does not apply. You will only receive remifentanil in a hospital or clinic setting. You will not receive remifentanil at home.