What type of drug is dexmedetomidine?
Dexmedetomidine is a sedative that is used to sedate a patient who is under intensive medical care and needs a mechanical ventilator (breathing machine). Before a ventilator is used, a breathing tube must be inserted through the mouth and into the patient’s airway, a procedure called intubation.
Is dexmedetomidine a muscle relaxant?
It appears that dexmedetomidine is a safe and effective option for these patients. Its administration did not fully control the muscle spasms but decreased their frequency and severity, and reduced the use of sedative, analgesic, and muscle relaxant drugs to control muscle spasms and cardiovascular instability.
What are the effects of dexmedetomidine?
The adverse effects of dexmedetomidine include hypotension, hypertension, nausea, bradycardia, atrial fibrillation, and hypoxia (22, 28) (Figure 4). Overdose may cause first-degree or second-degree atrioventricular block.
Is Precedex used for anxiety?
Opioids, benzodiazepines, propofol, antipsychotics and dexmedetomidine (Precedex) are frequently used in the intensive care unit (ICU) to manage pain, anxiety, agitation and delirium, and to facilitate procedures such as mechanical ventilation.
How quickly does dexmedetomidine work?
Its onset of action is less than 5 minutes and the peak effect occur within 15 minutes. As the pharmacologic effects of dexmedetomidine can be reversed by the α2-AR antagonist atipamezole,[44] dexmedetomidine provides a titratable form of hypnotic sedation that can be readily reversed.
How is dexmedetomidine given?
Dexmedetomidine Hydrochloride injections are available as Dexmedetomidine 50mcg/0.5ml, 100mcg/ml and 200mcg/2ml. It should be used in controlled intravenous device when being used via intravenous route. The dose should be individualized and titrated to the desired clinical effect.
Why is dexmedetomidine used?
Dexmedetomidine is used as an adjuvant for premedication, especially in patients susceptible to preoperative and perioperative stress because of its sedative, anxiolytic, analgesic, sympatholytic, and stable hemodynamic profile.
Is precedex better than propofol?
Conclusions: For ICU patient sedation, dexmedetomidine may offer advantages over propofol in terms of decrease in the length of ICU stay and the risk of delirium. However, transient hypertension may occur when dexmedetomidine is administered with a loading dose or at high infusion rates.
Can precedex causing agitation?
Common side effects of Precedex include: bradycardia, hypotension, agitation, hypertension, nausea, and tachycardia. Other side effects include: vomiting, and xerostomia. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
What is the cost of dexmedetomidine?
Table 2Cost comparison of ICU sedatives a
| Group | Drug / Comparator | Price ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Selective α2 adrenergic agonist | Dexmedetomidine HCL | $45.2 / vial |
| Benzodiazepines | Midazolam | $5.8 / vial $126.3 / vial |
| Lorazepam | $12.42 / vial | |
| Propofol | $9.2 / vial $23.0 / vial $46.0/ vial |
Is dexmedetomidine safe in pregnancy?
For pregnant patients, several studies mentioned that dexmedetomidine was used safely in many interventions such as sedation during noninvasive ventilation [10], as an alternative for maintenance of general anesthesia [9, 11], blunt hemodynamic response to intubation, and maintained hemodynamic stability without …