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Dexmedetomidine
From WikEM
Contents
General
- Type: Alpha-2 agonist; Sedative agents
- Dosage Forms:IV
- Common Trade Names: Precedex (US), Dexdor (European)
Adult Dosing
- ICU Sedation: 1 mcg/kg over 10 minutes followed by 0.2 to 0.7 mcg/kg/hr
- Procedural Sedation: 1 mcg/kg over 10 minutes followed by 0.6 mcg/hr titrated to effect, generally 0.2 to 1 mcg/kg/hr
Pediatric Dosing
Special Populations
- Pregnancy Rating: C
- Lactation: Unknown if excreted in milk. Exercise caution
- Renal Dosing
- Adult
- Pediatric
- Hepatic Dosing
- Adult
- Pediatric
Contraindications
- Allergy to class/drug
Adverse Reactions
Serious
- Hypotension
- Bradycardia
- Apnea
Common
- Hypotension
- Bradycardia
- Dry mouth
Pharmacology
- Half-life: 2 hours
- Metabolism: Hepatic
- Excretion: Renal
- Mechanism of Action: Selective alpha-2 agonist
Comments
- Provides analgesia and anesthesia
- Hemodynamically neutral medication
- Provides sedation with maintenance of arousability, airway protection
