Dexmedetomidine
Description
Dexmedetomidine is used for inducing sedation in patients who are under intensive medical care and mechanically ventilated. It is also be used for procedural sedation and should only be administered by a trained healthcare professional.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Dexmedetomidine
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Nausea and vomiting
- Irregular heart beat
- Slow breathing
- Confusion
- Low blood pressure
- Constipation
Uses of Dexmedetomidine
What is it prescribed for?
- Intensive care unit sedation (ICU sedation)
- Procedural sedation
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of this medicine can be observed within 5 to 10 minutes after administration of the dose.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains effective in the body is subject to vary based on the administered dose and individuals.
- Safe with alcohol?Alcohol should not be consumed prior to or after receiving this medicine since it may increase the risk of severe side effects such as impairment in thinking, dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before receiving this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before receiving this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to Dexmedetomidine or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before receiving this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before receiving this medicine.
General warnings
Liver impairment
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with liver function impairment or active liver diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of liver function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Hypotension and bradycardia
This medicine should be used with caution due to the increased risk of hypotension (low blood pressure) and bradycardia (slow heart rate). Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.
Drowsiness
This medicine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery after treatment with this medicine.
Kidney impairment
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with kidney function impairment due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of kidney function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Use in children
The safety and efficacy of this medicine have not been clinically established in children below 18 years of age. However, your doctor may prescribe this medicine to children below 18 years of age when the potential benefits outweigh the risks. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before administering this medicine to children.
Tolerance and tachyphylaxis
Use of this medicine beyond 24 hours may increase the risk of tolerance and tachyphylaxis (a weakened response to the medicine) in some patients.
Missed Dose
Since this medicine is usually administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical/hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.
Overdose
Since this medicine is administered in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Alcohol should not be consumed prior to or after receiving this medicine since it may increase the risk of severe side effects such as impairment in thinking, dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating.
Interaction with Medicine
Buprenorphine
Propoxyphene
Tizanidine
Amlodipine
Disease interactions
Glaucoma
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with glaucoma due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.
Liver Disease
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with liver function impairment or active liver diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of liver function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Cardiovascular disorders
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with cardiovascular disorders due to the increased risk of severe hypotension and/or cardiovascular depression. Close monitoring of heart function is recommended for such patients. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.
Depression
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with glaucoma due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This medicine should be administered by a qualified healthcare professional. Inform the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine. Report to the doctor all your current medicines including herbs and supplements as well as all your medical conditions before receiving this medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine works by altering the action of certain natural substances, which in turn induces sedation.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics
Schedule
Schedule H
Dexmedetomidine - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 24 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 24 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. 2018 [cited 24 December 2018]. Available from:
DailyMed - Dexmedetomidine HCL- dexmedetomidine hcl injection [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2019 [cited 5 April 2019]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 5 Apr 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.