Pooled Dosing and Efficacy Analysis of the Sufentanil Sublingual Tablet 30 mcg Across Demographic Subgroups for the Management of Moderate-to-Severe Acute Pain

J Perianesth Nurs. 2020 Feb;35(1):22-28. doi: 10.1016/j.jopan.2019.08.009. Epub 2019 Nov 13.

Abstract

Purpose: To aid nurses in dosing sufentanil sublingual tablet (SST) 30 mcg administered via a single-dose applicator, dosing requirements and efficacy of SST 30 mcg were analyzed across age, sex, race, and body mass index subgroups.

Design: Patient characteristics were pooled from three postoperative studies (two placebo-controlled and one open-label) and one open-label emergency department study. Drug dosing and efficacy data were pooled from the postoperative studies.

Methods: Efficacy was assessed through summed pain intensity difference to baseline during 12 hours across subgroups.

Findings: Mean (standard deviation) drug doses administered from 0 to 12 hours was 3.9 (2.0) for SST 30 mcg and was less frequent for older (≥65 years) versus younger patients. The summed pain intensity difference to baseline during 12 hours was superior with SST 30 mcg versus placebo across all subgroups.

Conclusions: SST 30 mcg is a sublingual opioid analgesic with efficacy across demographic subgroups.

Keywords: acute pain; analgesia; opioid; sublingual.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Pain / drug therapy*
  • Administration, Sublingual
  • Adult
  • Analgesics, Opioid / administration & dosage
  • Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medication Systems, Hospital / standards*
  • Medication Systems, Hospital / statistics & numerical data
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain Management / methods
  • Pain Management / standards
  • Pain Management / statistics & numerical data
  • Pain Measurement / methods
  • Sufentanil / administration & dosage*
  • Sufentanil / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Sufentanil