Dexmedetomidine: a guide to its use for sedation in the US

Intravenous dexmedetomidine (Precedex(®)) provides both effective sedation in mechanically ventilated patients in an intensive care setting and effective procedural sedation. In these patient populations, it reduces the need for rescue sedation with intravenous propofol or intravenous midazolam and reduces opioid requirements. In addition, patients receiving dexmedetomidine are calm and easy to arouse and manage. Intravenous dexmedetomidine is generally well tolerated and is not associated with respiratory depression. Although the utilization of dexmedetomidine is associated with hypotension and bradycardia, both usually resolve without intervention.