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Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Novel Methods for Intranasal Administration Under Inhalation Anesthesia to Evaluate Nose-to-Brain Drug Delivery
Published on: November 14, 2018
Intranasal clonidine as a premedicant: three cases with unique indications
Michael J Stella1, Ann G Bailey
1Department of Anesthesiology, University of North Carolina Hospitals, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7010, USA. mstella@aims.unc.edu
Intranasal clonidine effectively managed preoperative agitation, hallucinations, and hypertension in pediatric patients. This study highlights its safety and efficacy as a sedative and analgesic in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Anesthesiology
- Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Clonidine, a central alpha2-adrenergic agonist, is increasingly used in pediatrics for sedation and analgesia.
- Intranasal administration offers a non-invasive route for drug delivery.
Observation:
- Three pediatric cases involving preoperative intranasal clonidine administration for diverse indications were analyzed.
- Indications included managing agitation and hallucinations associated with midazolam, serving as a premedicant, and treating preoperative agitation and hypertension.
Findings:
- All three pediatric patients experienced subjective resolution of their presenting symptoms.
- No adverse outcomes were reported in any of the cases, suggesting a favorable safety profile.
Implications:
- Intranasal clonidine presents a potentially effective and safe option for preoperative symptom management in pediatric patients.
- Further research into intranasal clonidine's role in pediatric anesthesia and procedural sedation is warranted.
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