The Guide To Fentanyl Citrate Injection Brands UK In 2024

Fentanyl Citrate Injection: A Comprehensive Guide to Brands and Clinical Use in the UK

Fentanyl citrate is a powerful artificial opioid analgesic that has actually stayed a cornerstone of anesthesia and intensive care medication since its development in the 1960s. In the United Kingdom, it is classified as a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and is strictly controlled as a Schedule 2 Controlled Drug (CD). Mainly used for its rapid start and brief period of action, fentanyl citrate injection is an important tool for clinicians handling intense discomfort, surgical analgesia, and sedation.

This article offers an extensive exploration of the fentanyl citrate injection brands available in the UK, their scientific indications, regulatory framework, and safety profiles.


Comprehending Fentanyl Citrate

Fentanyl citrate is around 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine. Its high lipid solubility permits it to cross the blood-brain barrier quickly, supplying almost instant analgesic results when administered intravenously. In the UK health care system, it is mainly used in medical facility settings-- particularly in operating theatres, emergency situation departments, and Intensive Care Units (ICUs).

Medical Indications

The medical applications of fentanyl citrate injection in the UK are broad but specific to regulated environments:

  • Analgesic Supplement: Used throughout operative procedures to supply extensive analgesia.
  • Induction of Anesthesia: Often used alongside induction agents to blunt the cardiovascular action to intubation.
  • Post-operative Pain Management: Administered in healing rooms for immediate relief of extreme pain.
  • Sedation: Used in ICUs for patients requiring mechanical ventilation.

Fentanyl Citrate Injection Brands in the UK

In the United Kingdom, while the original trademark name established by Janssen-Cilag was Sublimaze, the marketplace is now controlled by high-quality generic variations produced by various pharmaceutical companies. Fentanyl Online Shop UK need to be authorized by the Medicines and Healthcare items Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to guarantee they meet stringent security and effectiveness standards.

Leading Manufacturers and Suppliers

The UK supply chain for fentanyl citrate injection counts on numerous key gamers:

  1. Hameln Pharma: One of the most common suppliers in NHS hospitals. They provide fentanyl in different sizes of ampoules.
  2. Martindale Pharma (Ethypharm): A major UK-based maker specializing in critical care and sterilized injectables.
  3. Mawdsleys Specialty Services: Often associated with the distribution and supply of specialized formulas.
  4. Wockhardt UK: Provides generic options for medical facility usage.

Summary of Available Presentations

The following table details the common brand names and presentations of fentanyl citrate injection currently made use of within the UK health care infrastructure.

Brand/Manufacturer

Common Concentration

Readily Available Volume (Fill Size)

Total Content

Sublimaze (Janssen)

50 micrograms/ml

2ml, 10ml

100mcg, 500mcg

Hameln Pharma

50 micrograms/ml

2ml, 10ml, 20ml

100mcg, 500mcg, 1mg

Martindale Pharma

50 micrograms/ml

2ml, 10ml

100mcg, 500mcg

Ethypharm

50 micrograms/ml

10ml, 20ml

500mcg, 1mg

Wockhardt UK

50 micrograms/ml

2ml, 10ml

100mcg, 500mcg


Pharmacology and Mechanism of Action

Fentanyl acts mainly as an agonist at the mu-opioid receptors in the central anxious system (CNS). By binding to these receptors, it hinders ascending pain paths, modifies the perception of and response to pain, and produces generalized CNS depression.

Key Pharmacokinetic Properties:

  • Onset of Action: 1-- 2 minutes (Intravenous).
  • Peak Effect: 3-- 5 minutes.
  • Duration: 30-- 60 minutes (shorter than morphine due to redistribution into fat and muscle).
  • Metabolism: Hepatic by means of the CYP3A4 enzyme system.
  • Excretion: Primarily kidney.

Regulatory and Safety Requirements in the UK

Since fentanyl citrate is a Schedule 2 Controlled Drug, its handling in the UK undergoes the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. These guidelines mandate strict procedures to prevent diversion and make sure client safety.

  • Storage: Must be saved in a locked, double-bolted cabinet (CD cabinet) that meets British Standards.
  • Record Keeping: Every dose administered, gotten, or disposed of must be taped in a Controlled Drugs Register (CDR).
  • Recommending: All prescriptions must satisfy particular legal requirements, including the total amount written in both words and figures.
  • Damage: Expired or contaminated vials need to be "rendered irretrievable" in the existence of an authorized witness.

Common Side Effects and Adverse Reactions

While extremely efficient, fentanyl citrate brings a risk of substantial negative effects, particularly if not titrated thoroughly.

Breathing System:The most vital negative effects is respiratory anxiety. This is dose-dependent and can lead to apnea if the patient is not kept track of or aerated.

Cardiovascular System:Fentanyl can cause bradycardia (sluggish heart rate) and hypotension, though it is usually thought about more cardiovascularly steady than morphine.

Musculoskeletal System:A special negative effects of fast, high-dose fentanyl administration is "wooden chest syndrome" (skeletal muscle rigidity), which can make mechanical ventilation hard.

Other Common Side Effects:

  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Lightheadedness or euphoria.
  • Pruritus (itching).
  • Biliary tract convulsion.

Administration Guidelines

In the UK, fentanyl citrate injections are normally administered by anesthesiologists, specially trained nurses, or emergency medication clinicians.

  1. Intravenous (IV) Bolus: Used for rapid pain relief or induction of anesthesia.
  2. Constant Infusion: Common in the ICU for long-lasting sedation. Concentrations are often standardized by local healthcare facility trusts (e.g., 1mg in 50ml or 2.5 mg in 50ml).
  3. Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA): Less common than morphine PCAs, however made use of for patients with morphine allergies or kidney problems.

Comparison of Fentanyl vs. Other Injectable Opioids

Feature

Fentanyl

Morphine

Remifentanil

Effectiveness (Approx)

100x Morphine

1x (Baseline)

100x Morphine

Onset

Very Rapid (1-2 minutes)

Moderate (15-30 minutes)

Immediate (30-60 sec)

Duration

Short (30-60 min)

Long (4 hours)

Ultra-short (3-10 min)

Histamine Release

Really Low

High

Low

UK Legal Status

Set up 2 CD

Arrange 2 CD

Set up 2 CD


Fentanyl citrate injection stays an indispensable component of the UK's pharmacological toolbox for discomfort management and anesthesia. While brand name names like Sublimaze are widely known, generic versions from Hameln and Martindale provide the backbone of health center materials, ensuring cost-effective and reliable access to this life-saving medication. Due to its extreme effectiveness and potential for breathing depression, its use is strictly restricted to medical environments where resuscitation devices and qualified workers are right away readily available.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is Fentanyl Citrate injection available on a basic GP prescription?A: Generally, no. While fentanyl is available in spot (transdermal) or lozenge kind for community use, the injection kind is almost solely used in hospital settings under professional supervision.

Q: How is a Fentanyl overdose treated in a UK medical facility?A: The primary treatment is the administration of Naloxone, an opioid antagonist, together with helpful steps such as oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation.

Q: Why is fentanyl chosen over morphine in some surgical cases?A: Fentanyl is preferred when a fast beginning is needed, or if the patient is hemodynamically unstable, as it causes less histamine release and less changes in blood pressure compared to morphine.

Q: Can Fentanyl be used for children in the UK?A: Yes, it is accredited for paediatric usage in the UK as an analgesic supplement in anesthesia and for sedation, with dosages carefully calculated based upon the kid's weight and age.

Q: What occurs if a dosage of Fentanyl is squandered?A: In the UK, any "wastage" (for instance, if just half an ampoule is utilized) need to be seen and signed for by two health care experts in the Controlled Drugs Register to make sure the drug was destroyed and not diverted.

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Pub: 17 May 2026 11:43 UTC

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