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Data updated: May 26, 2026

FENTANYL CITRATE PRESERVATIVE FREE (fentanyl citrate)

Other Approved 1991-09-24

Fentanyl Citrate provides short-term pain relief for patients undergoing surgical procedures. It is used during various stages of anesthesia, including preparation for surgery, during the operation itself, and in the immediate recovery period. This medication also helps as a supplement to general or regional anesthesia and can serve as a primary anesthetic agent for high-risk patients undergoing complex heart, brain, or bone surgeries.

Source: FDA Label • Dr. Reddy's

How FENTANYL CITRATE PRESERVATIVE FREE Works

This medication works as an opioid agonist. Its primary therapeutic actions provide patients with both sedation and relief from pain.

Source: FDA Label
3
Indications
--
Phase 3 Trials
34
Years on Market

Details

Status
Discontinued
First Approved
1991-09-24
Routes
INJECTION
Dosage Forms
INJECTABLE

FENTANYL CITRATE PRESERVATIVE FREE Approval History

1992
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Original
New Indication
New Form
Label Update
19 FDA actions from 1991 to 2025
Apr 2025 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Jul 2024 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Jan 2024 SUPPL
Label · Labeling

What FENTANYL CITRATE PRESERVATIVE FREE Treats

4 indications

FENTANYL CITRATE PRESERVATIVE FREE is approved for 4 conditions since its original approval in 1991. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

  • Pain during anesthesia induction and maintenance
  • Postoperative pain in the recovery room
  • Supplement to general or regional anesthesia
  • Anesthesia for high-risk surgeries (such as open heart, neurological, or orthopedic procedures)
Source: FDA Label

FENTANYL CITRATE PRESERVATIVE FREE Boxed Warning

SERIOUS AND LIFE-THREATENING RISKS FROM USE OF FENTANYL CITRATE INJECTION Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse Because the use of Fentanyl Citrate Injection exposes patients and other users to the risks of opioid addiction, abuse and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death, assess each patient’s risk prior to prescribing and reassess all patients regularly for the development of these behaviors and conditions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression Serious, l...

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Drugs Similar to FENTANYL CITRATE PRESERVATIVE FREE

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FENTANYL-100
FENTANYL
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SPECGX LLC
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Postoperative pain in the recovery roomSupplement to general or regional anesthesia
FENTANYL-75
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SPECGX LLC
Shared indications:
Postoperative pain in the recovery roomSupplement to general or regional anesthesia
SUBLIMAZE PRESERVATIVE FREE
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RISING
Shared indications:
Postoperative pain in the recovery roomSupplement to general or regional anesthesia
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Clinical Trial Registry

14 trials
Trial Sponsor ID Phase Status Title
NCT05437575 PAIN STUDY22010164 HT9425-25-F-0041 Ph 3 recruiting Prehospital Analgesia INtervention Trial (PAIN)
NCT06051227 FORE-PAIN FP-2023 2022-500176-63-00, U1111-1287-7486 Ph 3 recruiting Fentanyl or Esketamine for Traumatic PAIN (FORE-PAIN) Trial
NCT04645823 Versio4_22112020 2020-005506-26 Ph 4 completed Spinal Fentanyl or Epidural Analgesia in the Early First Phase of Induced Labor
NCT03018756 DMED-1921-16 Ph 3 completed Nebulized Fentanyl in Patients With Mild to Moderate Interstitial Lung Disease and Chronic Dyspnea
NCT03405090 DMED-1926-16 Ph 4 completed Differential Mechanisms of Dyspnea Relief in Advanced COPD: Opiates vs. Bronchodilators
NCT06017141 STUDY00149314 NCI-2023-05587, IIT-2022-VIVA Ph 2 recruiting Inhalational or Intravenous Anesthesia During Surgery for Patients With Colon Cancer, VIVA Study
NCT03809455 FARADI UC-0106/1607 SdS 02 FARADI Ph 2 withdrawn Effectiveness and Tolerance of Fentanyl Citrate in Painful Pain Induced During Diagnostic or Therapeutic Examinations in Cancer Patients
NCT01516684 results posted IRB00017079 NCI-2012-00019, CCCWFU 01211 Ph 2 completed Local Anesthetic Cream in Younger Patients Undergoing Lumbar Punctures
NCT03682211 SCC01 2011-005161-20, ISRCTN67469672 Ph 4 completed Intranasal Fentanyl Versus Intravenous Morphine in the Treatment of Severe Painful Sickle Cell Crises in Children
NCT01482091 results posted 11-09-343 Ph 4 completed Intranasal Fentanyl for Initial Treatment of a Vaso-occlusive Crisis
NCT02576353 INS002-15-049 Ph 1 completed Fentanyl Sublingual Spray and Fentanyl Citrate Intravenous (IV) in Opioid Naive Subjects
NCT01308320 4-2009-0111 Ph 4 completed Dose-dependent Effect of Fentanyl on Cough Attenuation During Emergence From General Anaesthesia
NCT00795314 PABADUC NMU-2008-FY10MZ31 NJFY0811-MZ02 Ph 4 completed Propofol-butorphanol Anesthesia During Uterine Curettage
NCT00738192 CARAN NMU-FY2008-311 NJFY0807311M Ph 4 completed Comparison of Analgesic Efficacy of Fentanyl, Sufentanil and Butorphanol After Remifentanil Anesthesia
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Active Pipeline

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Key Completed Trials

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Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance

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Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

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Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

FENTANYL CITRATE PRESERVATIVE FREE FDA Label Details

Indications & Usage

FENTANYL CITRATE PRESERVATIVE FREE is indicated for the treatment of Pain during anesthesia induction and maintenance; Postoperative pain in the recovery room; Supplement to general or regional anesthesia; Anesthesia for high-risk surgeries (such as open heart, neurological, or orthopedic procedures).

⚠️ BOXED WARNING

WARNING: SERIOUS AND LIFE-THREATENING RISKS FROM USE OF FENTANYL CITRATE INJECTION Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse Because the use of Fentanyl Citrate Injection exposes patients and other users to the risks of opioid addiction, abuse and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death, assess each patient...

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Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.