Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Application of Dixon's Up-and-Down Design to Estimate the Minimum Alveolar Concentration of Sevoflurane in Rats with Refined Movement Classification
03:02

Application of Dixon's Up-and-Down Design to Estimate the Minimum Alveolar Concentration of Sevoflurane in Rats with Refined Movement Classification

Published on: July 25, 2025

Clonidine treatment for agitation in children after sevoflurane anesthesia

Simonetta Tesoro1, Daniele Mezzetti, Laura Marchesini

  • 1Section of Anesthesia, Analgesia and Intensive Care, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy.

Anesthesia and Analgesia
|November 23, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Clonidine significantly reduces agitation in children after sevoflurane anesthesia. This study shows clonidine decreases the risk of postanesthesia agitation by 57%, improving recovery.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Anesthesiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Postanesthesia agitation is a common complication in children following sevoflurane anesthesia.
  • Sevoflurane-induced agitation can prolong recovery and increase patient distress.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of clonidine in reducing sevoflurane-induced postanesthesia agitation in pediatric patients.
  • To quantify the risk reduction associated with clonidine administration.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, placebo-controlled study involving 169 pediatric patients undergoing general anesthesia with sevoflurane.
  • Children received either clonidine (2 mug/kg) or a placebo before anesthesia, supplemented with regional or central blocks.
  • An independent observer assessed recovery and agitation incidence.

Main Results:

  • Clonidine administration significantly decreased pain and discomfort scores.
  • The incidence of agitation was reduced by 57% (P = 0.029) in the clonidine group.
  • A trend towards reduced severe agitation was observed (67% reduction, P = 0.064).

Conclusions:

  • Clonidine is an effective agent for mitigating sevoflurane-induced postanesthesia agitation in children.
  • Preoperative clonidine administration offers a substantial risk reduction for agitation post-anesthesia.

More Related Videos

Implantation of Electroencephalogram and Electrocardiogram Telemetry Devices in Neonatal Rabbit Kits06:46

Implantation of Electroencephalogram and Electrocardiogram Telemetry Devices in Neonatal Rabbit Kits

Published on: February 28, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents01:17

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents

Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a wide range of substances, each with its unique mechanism of action, uses, and potential adverse effects.
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview01:24

Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview

Intravenous anesthetics are drugs administered parenterally to induce anesthesia or sedation. Propofol is a widely used agent formulated as a 1% emulsion in soybean oil, glycerol, and egg phosphatide. It induces rapid anesthesia primarily due to its rapid distribution from the bloodstream to target tissues and is metabolized in the liver. However, it can cause significant pain on injection and hypertriglyceridemia. Fospropofol, a water-based prodrug of propofol, lacks these adverse effects.
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview01:20

Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview

Inhalation anesthetics are drugs that induce general anesthesia upon inhalation. They work by increasing the sensitivity of GABAA receptors or inhibiting NMDA receptors, leading to a decrease in central nervous system activity. The depth of anesthesia can be rapidly adjusted by changing the concentration of the inhaled gas. Some common examples of inhalational anesthetics include volatile liquids like isoflurane, desflurane, sevoflurane and gases like xenon and nitrous oxide. Isoflurane, a...
Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview01:23

Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview

Sedatives are drugs that alleviate anxiety, while hypnotics induce sleep. Both classes of medication suppress neuronal activity, leading to a calming effect for sedatives and facilitating sleep for hypnotics.
Sedative-hypnotics are categorized into barbiturates, benzodiazepines (BZDs), and non-benzodiazepines or Z-drugs. These drugs work by suppressing central nervous system activity, and this suppression is dose-dependent. Older sedative medications, like barbiturates, follow a linear curve in...
Stages of General Anesthesia01:22

Stages of General Anesthesia

Various sedation levels offer significant advantages in facilitating procedural interventions for patients undergoing medical or invasive surgical procedures. These levels span from anxiolysis to general anesthesia, providing a spectrum of sedative effects to cater to specific patient needs. Anxiolysis reduces anxiety and is achieved through minimal sedation, enabling patients to remain awake and responsive while feeling more at ease during the procedure. This level can benefit minor...