Anesthesia Drugs in Short Supply
May 14, 2001
Fentanyl, a drug that is most often used for labor pain, is in short supply. Anesthesiologists are concerned about the shortage, stating that they must use morphine or Demerol instead. These two drugs are effective alternatives; however, they are not the doctors' first choice.
Fentanyl is used as an epidural anesthesia because it lessens pain when administered to the lower spinal cord. Fentanyl is a good choice for labor pains because it is short-acting, and it allows the patient to play a more active role in the birthing process. Morphine and Demerol numb the lower extremities making it more difficult for the patient to participate in the delivery.
Other anesthesia drugs are also starting to diminish in supply, including two muscle relaxants, succinylcholine and rapacuronium bromide. These drugs are used for general anesthesia.
Lynn Gentry, director of public relations for VHA Inc. states "the drug is out there, but it's not out there perhaps in the size or quantity that people are used to anymore, and that's kind of what our members are experiencing." The FDA further supports that statement by commenting that the fentanyl "shortage is due to an unexpected increase in demand for [the] product."
Other medical professionals find this hard to believe. Dr. David J. Birnbach, director of obstetric anesthesiology at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York comments, "This is an incredibly strong narcotic that very few people outside of anesthesia use. I believe they would have to demonstrate the higher demand."
-- Article Courtesy of InjuryBoard.com
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