Best Opioid Agonist for pain
Top-rated pick: Sublimaze Preservative Free — pharmaranks score 72/100, the highest of the 18 Opioid Agonist drugs used for pain, ranked by our independent FDA recall-safety score. Compare them with all treatments for pain or the full Opioid Agonist class. Not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Quick answer: Of the 18 opioid agonist drugs we rate for pain, 15 are available as lower-cost generics, and most are patch. Our ranking reflects each drug’s FDA recall-safety record — not clinical effectiveness for pain; the right choice depends on your situation, so confirm it with your prescriber.
How opioid agonist work
Opioid agonists bind opioid receptors (mainly mu receptors) on nerves in the brain and spinal cord, dampening the release of pain-signaling chemicals so fewer pain messages reach the brain, which relieves moderate to severe pain.
Other drug classes for pain
Top opioid agonist for pain: 1. Sublimaze Preservative Free · 2. Sufenta Preservative Free · 3. Ultiva
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 72/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Generic | $10 | View → | |
| 2 | 72/100 | Prescription | Injectable | No data | — | View → | |
| 3 | 70/100 | Prescription | Injectable | No data | — | View → | |
| 4 | 68/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Generic | $10 | View → | |
| 5 | 60/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 6 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Capsule | Generic | $1 | View → | |
| 7 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Patch | Generic | $10 | View → | |
| 8 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Patch | Generic | $10 | View → | |
| 9 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Patch | Generic | $10 | View → | |
| 10 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Patch | Generic | $10 | View → |
Full ranking · 18 drugs
sublimaze preservative free
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Sublimaze Preservative Free (Fentanyl Citrate) is an opioid agonist used to treat Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$1.29· 8 forms Save up to 99% in classsufenta preservative free
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Sufenta Preservative Free (Sufentanil Citrate) is an opioid agonist used to treat Pain.
Price varies
ultiva
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Ultiva (Remifentanil Hydrochloride) is an opioid agonist used to treat Pain.
Price varies
fentanyl citrate
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Fentanyl Citrate is an opioid agonist used to treat Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$1.29· 8 forms Save up to 99% in classdemerol
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Demerol (Meperidine Hydrochloride) is an opioid agonist used to treat Pain.
Pharmacy pays
$0.16 /mL
Save up to 66% in classconzip
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Conzip (Tramadol Hydrochloride) is an opioid agonist used to treat Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.72/30· 8 formsfentanyl-100
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Fentanyl-100 (Fentanyl) is an opioid agonist used to treat Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$1.29· 8 forms Save up to 99% in classfentanyl-12
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Fentanyl-12 (Fentanyl) is an opioid agonist used to treat Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$1.29· 8 forms Save up to 99% in classfentanyl-25
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Fentanyl-25 (Fentanyl) is an opioid agonist used to treat Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$1.29· 8 forms Save up to 99% in classfentanyl-37
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Fentanyl-37 (Fentanyl) is an opioid agonist used to treat Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$1.29· 8 forms Save up to 99% in classfentanyl-50
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Fentanyl-50 (Fentanyl) is an opioid agonist used to treat Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$1.29· 8 forms Save up to 99% in classfentanyl-62
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Fentanyl-62 (Fentanyl) is an opioid agonist used to treat Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$1.29· 8 forms Save up to 99% in classfentanyl-75
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Fentanyl-75 (Fentanyl) is an opioid agonist used to treat Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$1.29· 8 forms Save up to 99% in classfentanyl-87
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Fentanyl-87 (Fentanyl) is an opioid agonist used to treat Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$1.29· 8 forms Save up to 99% in classnucynta er
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Nucynta ER (Tapentadol Hydrochloride) is an opioid agonist used to treat Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$263.46/30· 4 forms Save up to 99% in classremifentanil hydrochloride
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Remifentanil Hydrochloride is an opioid agonist used to treat Pain.
Price varies
tapentadol hydrochloride
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Tapentadol Hydrochloride is an opioid agonist used to treat Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$263.46/30· 4 forms Save up to 99% in classtramadol hydrochloride
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Tramadol Hydrochloride is an opioid agonist used to treat Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.72/30· 8 formsFrequently asked
- What is the best opioid agonist for pain?
- By our independent recall-safety rating — not an efficacy measure — sublimaze preservative free ranks highest among Opioid Agonist drugs used for pain. Always consult a professional.
- Which opioid agonist drugs treat pain?
- pharmaranks lists 18 Opioid Agonist products used for pain, per NIH RxClass drug-classification data — each independently rated and ranked above.
- How are these ranked?
- By our independent score, currently based on FDA regulatory recall-safety data (the methodology blends additional sources as they come online). See the How we rate page.