Dexmedetomidine
Dexmedetomidine
Dexmedetomidine
1 Interactions
Drug-Drug: Sedation is enhanced by anesthetics, other sedative/hypnotics, PDF Page #1
dexmedetomidine (dex-me-de-to-mi-deen) and opioid analgesics.
Precedex Drug-Natural Products: Concomitant use of kava-kava, valerian, skullcap,
Classification chamomile, or hops canqCNS depression.
Therapeutic: sedative/hypnotics Route/Dosage
Pregnancy Category C
ICU Sedation
Indications IV (Adults): Loading infusion— 1 mcg/kg over 10 min followed by maintenance
Sedation of initially intubated and mechanically ventilated patients during treatment infusion of 0.2– 0.7 mcg/kg/hr for maximum of 24 hr; rate is adjusted to achieve de-
in an intensive care setting; should not be used for ⬎24 hr. Sedation of non-intubated sired level of sedation.
patients before and/or during surgical and other procedures. IV (Children): Loading infusion-0.5– 1 mcg/kg followed by maintenance infu-
sionof 0.2– 1 mcg/kg/hr. Children ⬍ 1 yr may require higher end of infusion rate.
Action
Acts as a relatively selective alpha-adrenergic agonist with sedative properties. Ther- Procedural Sedation
apeutic Effects: Sedation. IV (Adults): Loading infusion— 1 mcg/kg (0.5 mcg/kg for ophthalmic surgery or
patients ⬎65 yr) over 10 min followed by maintenance infusion of 0.6 mcg/kg/hr;
Pharmacokinetics
rate is adjusted to achieve desired level of sedation (usual range 0.2– 1 mcg/kg/hr)
Absorption: IV administration results in complete bioavailability.
(maintenance infusion of 0.7 mcg/kg/hr recommended for fiberoptic intubation un-
Distribution: Unknown.
til endotracheal tube secured).
Protein Binding: 94%.
Metabolism and Excretion: Mostly metabolized by the liver, some metabolism NURSING IMPLICATIONS
by P450 enzyme system. Metabolites are mostly excreted in urine.
Half-life: 2 hr. Assessment
● Assess level of sedation throughout therapy. Dose is adjusted based on level of se-
TIME/ACTION PROFILE (sedation) dation.
ROUTE ONSET PEAK DURATION ● Monitor ECG and BP continuously throughout therapy. May cause hypo-
IV rapid unknown unknown tension, bradycardia, and sinus arrest.
● Toxicity and Overdose: Atropine IV may be used to modify the vagal tone.
Contraindications/Precautions
Contraindicated in: Hypersensitivity. Potential Nursing Diagnoses
Use Cautiously in: Hepatic impairment (lower doses may be required); Ad- Anxiety (Indications)
vanced heart block; Severe left ventricular dysfunction; Geri:qrisk of bradycardia Implementation
and hypotension (consider dosep); OB, Lactation, Pedi: Safety not established.
● Dexmedetomidine should be administered only in intensive care settings with con-
Adverse Reactions/Side Effects tinuous monitoring.
Resp: hypoxia. CV: BRADYCARDIA, SINUS ARREST, hypotension, transient hyperten- ● A loading dose may not be required when converting patient from another seda-
sion. GI: dry mouth, nausea, vomiting. Hemat: anemia. Misc: fever. tive.
⫽ Canadian drug name. ⫽ Genetic Implication. CAPITALS indicate life-threatening, underlines indicate most frequent. Strikethrough ⫽ Discontinued.
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