Dsuvia Side Effects

Generic name: sufentanil

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 2, 2023.

Note: This document contains side effect information about sufentanil. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Dsuvia.

Applies to sufentanil: sublingual tablet. Other dosage forms:

• injection solution

Serious side effects of Dsuvia

Along with its needed effects, sufentanil (the active ingredient contained in Dsuvia) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking sufentanil:

Less common

• Blurred vision
• confusion
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• sweating
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Rare

• Bloody urine
• blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• burning feeling in the chest or stomach
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• chest pain or discomfort
• decreased frequency or amount of urine
• decreased urine output
• difficult or troubled breathing
• difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
• extremely shallow or slow breathing
• fainting
• fast heartbeat
• increased blood pressure
• increased thirst
• indigestion
• irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
• lightheadedness, dizziness or fainting
• loss of appetite
• lower back or side pain
• nausea
• painful urination
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• severe constipation
• severe vomiting
• slow or irregular heartbeat
• stomach pain or upset
• swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
• tenderness in the stomach area
• troubled breathing
• unusual drowsiness, dullness, or feeling of sluggishness
• vomiting
• weakness
• weight gain

Incidence not known

• Agitation
• cough
• darkening of the skin
• diarrhea
• difficulty swallowing
• fever
• hives, itching, skin rash
• mental depression
• overactive
• reflexes
• poor coordination
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• restlessness
• shivering
• talking or acting with excitement you cannot control
• tightness in the chest
• trembling or shaking
• twitching

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking sufentanil:

Symptoms of overdose

• Blue lips and fingernails
• blurred vision
• chest pain
• choking
• cold and clammy skin
• constricted pupils
• coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
• decreased awareness or responsiveness
• difficult or troubled breathing
• irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
• loss of consciousness
• pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• severe sleepiness
• slow heartbeat
• swelling in the legs and ankles

Other side effects of Dsuvia

Some side effects of sufentanil may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Headache

Rare

• Anxiety
• belching
• bloated
• confusion about identity, place, and time
• difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• excess air or gas in the stomach or bowels
• false or unusual sense of well-being
• feeling of warmth
• forgetfulness
• full feeling
• heartburn
• indigestion
• muscle spasm
• passing gas
• redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• trouble sleeping

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to sufentanil: compounding powder, injectable solution, sublingual tablet.

General

The most commonly reported adverse events with the sublingual tablet have been nausea, headache, vomiting, dizziness, and hypotension; with the injectable formulation, apnea, rigidity, and bradycardia have been commonly reported.^[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Respiratory depression

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Apnea

Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypoxia, bradypnea, hiccups, atelectasis, hypoventilation, respiratory distress, respiratory failure

Frequency not reported: Respiratory arrest^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Anaphylaxis has been reported with ingredients contained in the sufentanil (the active ingredient contained in Dsuvia) sublingual tablet.^[Ref]

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypersensitivity

Postmarketing reports: Anaphylaxis^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, decreased blood pressure

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Decreased heart rate, hypotension

Rare (less than 0.1%):: Bradycardia, sinus tachycardia, flushing

Frequency not reported: Severe bradycardia, severe hypotension including orthostatic hypotension, syncope^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Involuntary muscle spasms, muscle twitching

Frequency not reported: Muscle rigidity, muscle movement^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Nausea (29%; sublingual tablet), vomiting

Common (1% to 10%): Constipation, dyspepsia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dry mouth

Rare (less than 0.1%): Flatulence, diarrhea, dry mouth, eructation, retching, abdominal discomfort, abdominal distension, abdominal pain upper, gastritis, postoperative ileus, hypoesthesia oral

Opioids:

Frequency not reported: increase in serum amylase^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Confusional state

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Apathy, nervousness

Rare (less than 0.1%): Memory impairment, insomnia, confusional state, anxiety, agitation, disorientation, euphoric mood, hallucination, mental status changes

Frequency not reported: Addiction, abuse, misuse^[Ref]

Nervous system

Cases of serotonin syndrome have been reported during concomitant use of opioids with serotonergic drugs.^[Ref]

Very common (10% or more): Headache (12.1%; sublingual tablet)

Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, sedation

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Somnolence, paresthesia, ataxia, dystonia, hyperreflexia

Rare (less than 0.1%): Pre-syncope, lethargy

Frequency not reported: Seizures, coma

Opioids:

Postmarketing reports: Serotonin syndrome^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Very common (10% or more): Pruritus (up to 25%)

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hyperhidrosis, rash, dry skin

Frequency not reported: Erythema^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Common (1% to 10%): Urinary retention

Rare (less than 0.1%): urinary hesitation, oliguria^[Ref]

Ocular

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Vision disturbances

Frequency not reported: Miosis^[Ref]

Other

Very common (10% or more): Pyrexia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Chills, asthenia

Frequency not reported: Drug withdrawal syndrome^[Ref]

Endocrine

Cases of adrenal insufficiency have been reported with opioid use of greater than 1-month duration. Cases of androgen deficiency have occurred with chronic opioid use.^[Ref]

Opioids:

Postmarketing reports: Adrenal insufficiency, androgen deficiency^[Ref]

Renal

Rare (less than 0.1%): Renal failure

Frequently asked questions

• What is the Dsuvia REMS program?
• How do you take the Dsuvia (sufentanil) tablet?
• Is Dsuvia (sufentanil) a controlled substance?

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer