Which statement correctly describes sufentanil duration of action (DOA)?

Which statement correctly describes sufentanil duration of action (DOA)?

• A. DOA is fixed regardless of dose.
• B. DOA is dose dependent.
• C. DOA lasts 24 hours.
• D. DOA is 2-4 hours.

Answer: (B)

DOA reflects how long the drug remains above the level needed to produce effect. Sufentanil is highly potent and lipophilic, so it rapidly moves into tissues and then slowly returns to the bloodstream. With a larger dose or a longer infusion, more drug accumulates in tissue reservoirs, and its return to the effect site is slower. This keeps analgesic effects going longer, so duration of action increases as dose increases. That makes DOA dose dependent. The other statements aren’t accurate because DOA is not fixed regardless of dose, and it’s not a universal 24 hours or a fixed 2–4 hours—it changes with how much and how long you administer the drug.

DOA reflects how long the drug remains above the level needed to produce effect. Sufentanil is highly potent and lipophilic, so it rapidly moves into tissues and then slowly returns to the bloodstream. With a larger dose or a longer infusion, more drug accumulates in tissue reservoirs, and its return to the effect site is slower. This keeps analgesic effects going longer, so duration of action increases as dose increases. That makes DOA dose dependent. The other statements aren’t accurate because DOA is not fixed regardless of dose, and it’s not a universal 24 hours or a fixed 2–4 hours—it changes with how much and how long you administer the drug.