Intranasal Fentanyl for Rapid Analgesia in Children

Intranasal fentanyl was administered to children with moderate-to-severe pain almost twice as quickly as intravenous morphine.

Children, elders, and ethnic minorities are less likely than other patients to receive adequate analgesia for painful conditions in the emergency department (ED). These authors evaluated whether implementing a protocol for use of intranasal (IN) fentanyl for pain management in children would reduce time to administration of analgesics in a mixed adult and pediatric ED in Australia.

The protocol described appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria for use of IN fentanyl (1.5 µg/kg) in children aged 1–15 years with moderate-to-severe pain. The choice of IN fentanyl or intravenous (IV) morphine was at the clinicians' discretion. The authors identified 63 children who received IV morphine in the 7 months before implementation and 118 patients …

Reviewing Author

Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardSecurisyn

Editorial boardsThe Merck Manuals (Home and Physician Editions)

Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardSecurisyn

Editorial boardsThe Merck Manuals (Home and Physician Editions)