Remifentanil
From Drug Rehab Wiki
Remifentanil is the generic for the brand name Ultiva. This narcotic pain reliever is generally used to treat pain during and after procedures and surgery or other procedures that require anesthesia. If used under the close supervision of a doctor, Remifentanil may also be used for pain control for the few days after surgery.
This medication is injected into a vein by slow IV injections or continuous infusion by medical professionals specifically trained to administer the drug. It is recommended that Remifentanil only be used in a hospital or clinical setting where the individual can be closely monitored and life-support equipment is in close range. If an individual misses a dose of Remifentanil, the doctor should be immediately contacted.
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Abuses of Remifentanil
Remifentanil presents an opportunity for abuse by those who are trained to use it to treat others. There is a growing problem among doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers who use their position to illegally obtain the drug. Remifentanil is extremely potent and a too high dose can take a life, while an addiction can do the same.
Remifentanil is often sought by abusers wishing to achieve a specific euphoric high, yet the first high is never again achieved. In the search for the recreation, users continue to use more and more of the medication, developing a dangerous addiction that can easily lead to death.
Effects of Remifentanil
Like any drug, it can be highly addictive, especially when used outside of a doctor’s care. While some have been known to use Remifentanil with no side effects, others have experienced changes in vision, chills, dizziness, drowsiness, fever, headache, itching, nausea, shivering, sweating, or vomiting.
Severe side effects can also occur, although are not as common. Such effects can include allergic reactions such as rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips or tongue. Other severe effects include fast or slow heartbeat, interrupted breathing, lightheadedness, muscle tightness, pain, redness or swelling at the injection site and seizures.
Withdrawal of Remifentanil
A person who takes Remifentanil for long periods of time or in high doses will experience withdrawal once the drug is no longer taken. It is highly recommended that a gradual decrease in the dose level take place as abrupt withdrawal can cause severe reactions, including death.
Any and all of the following symptoms can occur in the Remifentanil withdrawal stage:
• Anxiety
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Goose bumps
• Abnormal skin sensations
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Pain
• Rigid muscles
• Rapid heartbeat
• Seeing, hearing or feeling things not there
• Shivering or tremors
• Sweating
• Trouble sleeping
Treatment of Remifentanil Addiction
Remifentanil addiction can often be very difficult to treat. Individuals develop a long-term mental and physical addiction to the drug, making it that much harder to successfully relieve the patient of an addiction. Detoxification is required to cleanse the body of this drug and must be done under the care of a physician.
A quality treatment center will use a comfortable detox program, complete with withdrawal medications specifically intended for Remifentanil abuse. Such a center will do a full physical on a person and have a board-certified addiction psychiatrist determine the right medications for comfortable detox.
A comfortable detox method in Remifentanil addiction helps to correct the chemical imbalances in the individual and should be combined with psychological evaluations and other medical care to address cravings for the drug. Such a method helps to identify the reason for the addiction, while treating the whole person.
