The role of sublingual sufentanil nanotabs for pain relief

Introduction: The authors discuss a novel patient controlled analgesia system utilizing a preprogrammed device that delivers a small submucosal tablet of sufentanil.Areas covered: This submucosal sufentanil system is not yet commercially available. A literature review of the current patient controlled analgesia systems and current information of this device are discussed.Expert opinion: This novel device has the potential to enhance patient safety as it is preprogrammed and delivers a standard dose of sufentanil, a rapidly acting opioid devoid of active metabolites.