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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 2026

Acquisition of Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data in the Rat

Acquisition of Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data in the Rat

Published on: August 28, 2021

Dexmedetomidine overdosage: An unusual presentation.

Soumya S Nath¹, Sujan Singh, Sundeep T Pawar

¹Department of Anaesthesiology, Sahara Hospital, Viraj Khand, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Indian Journal of Anaesthesia

|August 29, 2013

Summary

Dexmedetomidine toxicity in a child can be life-threatening, causing slowed breathing, heart rate, and low blood pressure. Adrenaline infusion proved effective in managing this pediatric case.

Keywords:

Dexmedetomidine miosis overdose

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Last Updated: May 8, 2026

Acquisition of Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data in the Rat

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A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings

A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings

Published on: November 9, 2016

Area of Science:

Pediatric Anesthesiology
Clinical Toxicology

Background:

Dexmedetomidine is a selective α2 adrenoceptor agonist with a reported wide safety margin.
Adverse events associated with dexmedetomidine, particularly in pediatric populations, warrant careful consideration.

Purpose of the Study:

To report a case of dexmedetomidine toxicity in a pediatric patient.
To describe the clinical presentation and management of dexmedetomidine overdose.
To evaluate the efficacy of adrenaline infusion in managing severe dexmedetomidine toxicity.

Main Methods:

A case report detailing the clinical course of a 3-year-old child experiencing dexmedetomidine toxicity.
Monitoring of vital signs including respiratory rate, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Administration of supportive care including oxygen, saline boluses, and continuous adrenaline infusion.

Main Results:

The child presented with bradypnoea, bradycardia, hypotension, deep hypnosis, and miosis.
Hemodynamic stability was achieved following the initiation of adrenaline infusion.
The patient showed improvement in responsiveness to stimuli within 3 hours and orientation within 7 hours.

Conclusions:

Dexmedetomidine toxicity, even with its perceived safety margin, can manifest with severe, life-threatening symptoms including miosis.
Adrenaline infusion represents a potentially effective supportive treatment strategy for managing severe dexmedetomidine-induced toxicity in children.
This case underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring and prompt intervention in pediatric patients receiving dexmedetomidine.