Recurrence of Respiratory Depression Following Neurolept Analgesia

Abstract
Fentanyl, although generally regarded as a short-acting narcotic analgesic, can give unexpected respiratory depression several hours after the last dose. This potentially very dangerous effect is explained in pharmacokinetic studies by a mobilization of fentanyl from tissue stores. A patient who developed a severe respiratory depression 5 h after the last dose of fentanyl is described.