Treatment of pain with intranasal fentanyl in pediatric patients in an acute care setting: a systematic review

Pain Manag. 2018 Sep 1;8(5):341-352. doi: 10.2217/pmt-2018-0016. Epub 2018 Oct 3.

Abstract

Aim: The primary objective of this review is to provide an updated, comprehensive overview on the efficacy of intranasal fentanyl (INF) for acute pain relief in the pediatric population.

Methods: Utilizing the Preferred Reporting Instructions for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), we were able to screen articles based on key words to reach a final number of 10 studies.

Results: All but one study showed that INF was efficacious for pain relief in this select pediatric population.

Conclusion: It is evident that INF is efficacious for analgesia, but other agents should also be considered in this patient population. As a result, further research is needed to investigate the clinically efficacy of INF in an acute care setting for pediatric patients.

Keywords: acute; analgesia; emergency; fentanyl; intranasal; pain; pediatrics.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Pain / drug therapy*
  • Administration, Intranasal*
  • Analgesics, Opioid / administration & dosage
  • Analgesics, Opioid / pharmacology*
  • Child
  • Fentanyl / administration & dosage
  • Fentanyl / pharmacology*
  • Humans

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Fentanyl