Fentanyl and diazepam for analgesia and sedation during radiologic special procedures.

Fentanyl is a synthetic narcotic which, when administered intravenously, has a rapid onset and short duration of action. It produces less cardiovascular depression than either meperidine or morphine. Experience with 100 examinations performed using intravenous fentanyl and diazepam for analgesia and sedation in adults is reviewed. There were no complications, and effective analgesia was obtained in all cases. Fentanyl has distinct pharmacologic advantages over both morphine and meperidine for use in radiologic special procedures.