Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Assessment of Morphine-induced Hyperalgesia and Analgesic Tolerance in Mice Using Thermal and Mechanical Nociceptive Modalities
Published on: July 29, 2014
[Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of remifentanil: overview and comparison with other opioids]
Masato Kato1, Daizoh Satoh, Yoshifumi Okada
1Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575.
Abstract:
In this review, the authors tried to summarize the characteristics and main differences of remifentanil with other opioids, and to overview its pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. Clearance and volume of distribution of remifentnail are extremely different from other conventional opioids. In addition, the context-sensitive half time of remifentanil is almost stable (about 3 minutes) even if the continuous infusion of remifentanil lasts for longer than 10 hours. As remifentanil is metabolized by a non-specific esterase, excretion of remifentnil is predictable in basically all patients undergoing general anesthesia and surgery. Therefore, remifentanil is considered to be an optimal opioid as an analgesic combined either with inhalational anesthetics or intravenous hypnotics in balanced general anesthesia.
Related Concept Videos
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
Opioid Receptors: Overview
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview
Analgesia and Pain Management
Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview