Sufenta Side Effects

Generic name: sufentanil

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 19, 2025.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Sufenta Side Effects associated with sufentanil. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Sufenta.

Applies to sufentanil: sublingual tablet.

Other dosage forms:

• injection solution

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Sublingual route (tablet)

Accidental exposure to or ingestion of sufentanil sublingual tablets, especially in children, can result in respiratory depression and death.

Because of the potential for life-threatening respiratory depression due to accidental exposure, sufentanil sublingual tablets are only available through a restricted program called the Dsuvia REMS Program.

Sufentanil sublingual tablets must only be dispensed to patients in a certified medically supervised healthcare setting.

Discontinue use of sufentanil sublingual tablets prior to discharge or transfer from the certified medically supervised healthcare setting.Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with the use of sufentanil sublingual tablets.

Monitor for respiratory depression, especially during initiation of sufentanil sublingual tablets.Sufentanil sublingual tablets exposes patients and other users to the risks of opioid addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death.

Assess each patient's risk prior to prescribing sufentanil sublingual tablets, and monitor all patients regularly for the development of these behaviors or conditions.Concomitant use with CYP3A4 inhibitors (or discontinuation of CYP3A4 inducers) can result in a fatal overdose of sufentanil.Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression coma, and death.

Reserve concomitant prescribing for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate.

Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required.

Follow patients for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation.

Common side effects of Sufenta

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 side effects

• headache

Rare side effects

• 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

Serious side effects of Sufenta

Along with its needed effects, sufentanil (the active ingredient contained in Sufenta) 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 side effects

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

Rare side effects

• 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

For healthcare professionals

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

General adverse events

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

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypersensitivity
• Postmarketing reports: Anaphylaxis^[Ref]

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

• 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]

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

Opioids:

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

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]

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

Sufenta side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer