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Alfentanil (Alfenta)

Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.

About Alfentanil

What it is

Alfentanil is a short-acting synthetic opioid of the fentanyl family with a very fast onset. It is used during anaesthesia and short procedures, and for intensive care sedation and pain relief. It is sold as Alfenta and Rapifen, among other names.

How genes come into it

Alfentanil is broken down almost entirely by CYP3A4 (with CYP3A5), and it is used in research as a test substance for CYP3A activity. Studies have looked at CYP3A5 for its clearance and at the opioid receptor gene OPRM1 for its pain-relieving and breathing effects. The findings come from a few studies, and there is no CPIC or DPWG guideline.

What research found

Every published finding on gene variants and Alfentanil. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.

Rated evidence (4 rated variants)

PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.

OPRM1 rs1799971: Level 3. Efficacy: Pain. 2.

OPRM1 rs1799971: Level 3. Metabolism/PK: Pain. 2.

OPRM1 rs1799971: Level 3. Toxicity. 1.

OPRM1 rs1799971: Level 3. Dosage: Pain. 1.

Metabolism (3 findings)

Studies of how quickly the body processes this medication.

CYP3A5 CYP3A5*1, CYP3A5*3: CYP3A5 *3/*3 is not associated with clearance of alfentanil in healthy individuals as compared to CYP3A5 *1/*1 + *1/*3.

OPRM1 rs1799971: Genotypes AG + GG are associated with decreased response to alfentanil in healthy individuals as compared to genotype AA.

OPRM1 rs1799971: Allele G is not associated with concentrations of alfentanil in healthy individuals as compared to allele A.

Dosing (1 finding)

Studies of how much of the drug people needed or tolerated.

OPRM1 rs1799971: Genotypes AG + GG are associated with increased dose of alfentanil in people with Pain as compared to genotype AA.

Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.

Related Drugs

More drugs from the same category

Codeine (Opioids)

Demerol (Opioids)

Dihydrocodeine (Opioids)

Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.

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Content updated September 2026.

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