QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Résumé Extracto Full Text PDF A correction has been published Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Articles Ahead of Print [Order Reprint] Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Gerlach, A. T Articles by Dasta, J. F Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Gerlach, A. T Articles by Dasta, J. F

CRITICAL CARE

Dexmedetomidine: An Updated Review

Specialty Practice Pharmacist, The Ohio State University Medical Center; Clinical Assistant Professor, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

Joseph F Dasta, MSc FCCM

Professor, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University

Reprints: Dr. Gerlach, Room 368 Doan Hall, 410 W. Tenth Ave., Columbus, OH 43210, fax 614/293-3165, Gerlach.6{at}osu.edu

OBJECTIVE: To review recent literature on the safety and efficacy of dexmedetomidine.

DATA SOURCES: Articles were identified through searches of MEDLINE (1966-January 2007). Key words included dexmedetomidine, medetomidine, ₂-agonist, and sedation. References from selected articles were reviewed for additional references.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Experimental and observational studies that focused on the safety and efficacy of dexmedetomidine in humans were selected.

DATA SYNTHESIS: Dexmedetomidine is an ₂-agonist for short-term sedation in critically ill patients. In postoperative patients, dexmedetomidine produced similar levels of sedation and times to extubation, with less opioid requirements compared with propofol. Dexmedetomidine has also been studied for sedation in critically ill medical and pediatric patients, as adjunct to anesthesia, and for procedural sedation. Hypotension, hypertension, and bradycardia are common adverse effects. Although dexmedetomidine is labeled only for sedation less than 24 hours, it has been administered for longer than 24 hours without apparent development of rebound hypertension and tachycardia.

CONCLUSIONS: Dexmedetomidine is a safe and effective agent for sedation in critically ill patients. Further, well designed studies are needed to define its role as a sedative for critically ill medical, neurosurgical, and pediatric patients, as an adjunct to anesthesia, and as a sedative during procedures.

Key Words: ₂-agonist, dexmedetomidine, sedation

Published Online, February 13, 2007. www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1H314

THIS ARTICLE IS APPROVED FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT
ACPE UNIVERSAL PROGRAM NUMBER: 407-000-07-006-H01

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. R. Al-Metwalli, H. A. Mowafi, S. A. Ismail, A. K. Siddiqui, A. M. Al-Ghamdi, M. A. Shafi, and A.-R. El-Saleh Effect of intra-articular dexmedetomidine on postoperative analgesia after arthroscopic knee surgery Br. J. Anaesth., September 1, 2008; 101(3): 395 - 399. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Robin, R. Alexander, H. A. Mowafi, N. Aldossary, S. A. Ismail, and J. Alqahtani Remifentanil obtunds intraocular pressure rises associated with suxamethonium Br. J. Anaesth., September 1, 2008; 101(3): 432 - 433. [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. A. Mowafi, N. Aldossary, S. A. Ismail, and J. Alqahtani Effect of dexmedetomidine premedication on the intraocular pressure changes after succinylcholine and intubation Br. J. Anaesth., April 1, 2008; 100(4): 485 - 489. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]