Remifentanil

For an informed discussion with your doctor or pharmacist. This information collection is not a clinically validated interaction checker. Missing data do not establish safety. Do not change or stop prescribed medicines on the basis of this information. The findings apply to the specific conditions studied; laboratory and animal studies cannot be directly extrapolated to humans.

Active substance: Remifentanil

Examples of brand names: Ultiva [DE]

ATC code: N01AH06

Main use (for orientation): Anaesthesia

Documented research summary

The randomised CANAB-II study found no reduction in remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia with a single oral dose of CBD in the fasting state; low CBD concentrations limit the conclusion. The THC monkey experiment showed no increase in potency of reinforcing effects but sometimes lower response rates.

Uncertainties and limitations

Does not establish safety for less-studied cannabinoids or untested formulations/doses.

Do not infer clinical dosage from preclinical effects or enzyme hypotheses.

Separately recorded findings

2 separately recorded findings. Each statement applies to its documented study context.

CBD – clinically studied

Finding ID: B0329

Type of result: Clinically tested; null finding under study conditions

Observation: No significant reduction in hyperalgesia, allodynia or pain compared with placebo.

Mechanism: Pharmacodynamic assessment of opioid-induced hyperalgesia.

Study type: Randomised double-blind crossover study

Context studied: 24 recruited, 21 complete datasets; CBD 1600 mg once while fasting, remifentanil 0.1 µg/kg/min for 30 minutes.

Clinical interpretation: Context-specific null finding

Limitations and uncertainties: Low, variable whole-blood CBD concentrations; not a general safety/equivalence study or chronic combination.

Original sources for this finding: Pain response to cannabidiol in opioid-induced hyperalgesia, acute nociceptive pain, and allodynia using a model mimicking acute pain in healthy adults in a randomized trial (CANAB II). [C_PR_35239547]

THC – laboratory and animal studies

Finding ID: B0330

Type of result: Preclinical

Observation: No significant change in remifentanil potency in the food-versus-infusion choice test; high cannabinoid doses reduced response rates.

Mechanism: Operant choice behaviour/reinforcing effects.

Study type: Rhesus monkeys, n=4; abstract

Context studied: THC 10–100 µg/kg/infusion; remifentanil 0.032–1 µg/kg/infusion.

Clinical interpretation: Clinical significance undetermined

Limitations and uncertainties: No assurance concerning analgesia or respiratory-depression safety. Full text inaccessible despite Europe PMC/publisher attempts; CP55940 considered separately outside scope.

Original sources for this finding: Reinforcing effects of opioid/cannabinoid mixtures in rhesus monkeys responding under a food/drug choice procedure. [C_PR_29860612]

References and access status

[C_LABEL_D0152] ULTIVA (REMIFENTANIL HYDROCHLORIDE) INJECTION, POWDER, LYOPHILIZED, FOR SOLUTION [MYLAN INSTITUTIONAL LLC]

Original source / bibliographic reference

Authors: MYLAN INSTITUTIONAL LLC

Year: 2025

Source type: US Structured Product Label

Source access – 23 October 2026: Source destination was accessible when checked.

Bibliographic attribution or source identity cross-checked.

[C_PR_35239547] Pain response to cannabidiol in opioid-induced hyperalgesia, acute nociceptive pain, and allodynia using a model mimicking acute pain in healthy adults in a randomized trial (CANAB II).

Original source / bibliographic reference

Authors: Dieterle M, Zurbriggen L, Mauermann E, Mercer-Chalmers-Bender K, Frei P, Ruppen W, Schneider T.

Year: 2022

Source type: Primary source, full text read

DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002591

PMID: 35239547

Source access – 23 October 2026: Automated direct retrieval was restricted; this does not establish that the link is broken.

Bibliographic attribution or source identity cross-checked.

PubMed – bibliographic reference / abstract

PubMed Central – archived text

DOI – publisher access (access restrictions may apply)

[C_PR_29860612] Reinforcing effects of opioid/cannabinoid mixtures in rhesus monkeys responding under a food/drug choice procedure.

Original source / bibliographic reference

Authors: Maguire DR, France CP.

Year: 2018

Source type: Primary source, abstract read

DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-4932-6

PMID: 29860612

Source access – 23 October 2026: Automated direct retrieval was restricted; this does not establish that the link is broken.

Bibliographic attribution or source identity cross-checked.

PubMed – bibliographic reference / abstract

PubMed Central – archived text

DOI – publisher access (access restrictions may apply)

Research as of 23 October 2026. Not all original full texts could be reviewed in full. Source accessibility and the strength of scientific evidence must be assessed separately. An accessible link does not establish medical approval; a bibliographic record with an abstract does not replace the original full text.

Drug search and explanation of the evidence · Guide: cannabinoids and medicines · Author and responsibility