Sufentanil potency relative to fentanyl

Sufentanil potency relative to fentanyl

• A. 1x potency
• B. 5-10x more potent than fentanyl
• C. 0.1x potency
• D. 100x potency

Answer: (B)

Potency in opioids reflects how much drug is needed to produce the same analgesic effect. Sufentanil is a fentanyl analog with much greater mu receptor affinity and higher lipophilicity, so a much smaller dose reaches the brain to produce the same analgesia. This makes sufentanil roughly five to ten times more potent than fentanyl. In practical terms, you’d use about one-fifth to one-tenth the fentanyl dose to achieve equivalent effect. The high potency also means a greater risk of respiratory depression and requires careful dosing, even though the duration of action can differ.

Potency in opioids reflects how much drug is needed to produce the same analgesic effect. Sufentanil is a fentanyl analog with much greater mu receptor affinity and higher lipophilicity, so a much smaller dose reaches the brain to produce the same analgesia. This makes sufentanil roughly five to ten times more potent than fentanyl. In practical terms, you’d use about one-fifth to one-tenth the fentanyl dose to achieve equivalent effect. The high potency also means a greater risk of respiratory depression and requires careful dosing, even though the duration of action can differ.