Transdermal delivery systems for administering sufentanil through the skin are provided. The systems contain a sufficient amount of sufentanil to induce and maintain a constant state of analgesia when applied to a subject. The systems are characterized as having one or more features including a high degree of dosage form rate control over flux of sufentanil from the system, a high net flux of sufentanil from the system through the skin, lack of a permeation enhancer, an adhesive member demonstrating superior shear time, a low coefficient of variation in the net flux of sufentanil from the system, a high delivery efficiency, and a substantially constant steady state net flux of sufentanil from the system. Methods of using the transdermal delivery systems to administer a sufficient amount of sufentanil to induce and maintain analgesia for extended periods when applied to a subject are also provided.