Dezocine-mediated reversal of sufentanil-induced respiratory depression and its mitigation of adverse reactions: A clinical investigation.

BACKGROUND

Respiratory depression (RD) is the most life-threatening adverse reaction associated with opioid drug use. However, previous studies have found that partial opioid receptor agonists can effectively reverse RD induced by opioid drugs.

METHODS

Sixty eligible patients were randomly assigned to either the Dezocine group (group D) or the Control group (group C). Patients in group D were given sufentanil combined with dezocine (0.1mg/kg) within 10s. Patients in group C were given sufentanil combined with the same volume of normal saline. During intravenous administration, oxygen inhalation at 5L/min was also administered.

RESULTS

The RD ED50 in group D was 0.486μg/kg (95% CI: 0.411-0.546μg/kg), while that in group C was 0.293μg/kg (95% CI: 0.252-0.336μg/kg). RD occurred in 12 patients in group D and 14 patients in group C. RD in both groups was mainly characterized by a reduced respiratory rate. There were no significant differences in the incidence or types of RD within the first 5 and 10min after administration (P > 0.05). When RD occurred, percutaneous oxygen saturation in all patients remained above 98%.

CONCLUSIONS

Dezocine can partially reverse RD induced by sufentanil and increase the ED50 of RD induced by sufentanil.