Dexmedetomidine injection

Generic name: Dexmedetomidine (injection)
Brand names: Precedex
Dosage form: intravenous solution (100 mcg/mL; 4 mcg/mL; 4 mcg/mL-D5%; 4 mcg/mL-NaCl 0.9%)
Drug class: Miscellaneous anxiolytics , Antineoplastic Agents

Usage of Dexmedetomidine injection

Dexmedetomidine injection is used in adults to start or maintain sedation in people who are on a machine that helps with breathing (ventilator) in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Dexmedetomidine injection is used in adults for sedation before and during surgery or a medical procedure.

Dexmedetomidine injection is also used in children aged 1 months to less than 18 years of age for sedation before and during other medical procedures.

Dexmedetomidine injection may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Dexmedetomidine injection side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Certain side effects may occur during the first 48 hours after receiving dexmedetomidine injection. Tell your medical caregivers at once if you have: weakness, confusion, feeling nervous or agitated, increased sweating, weight loss, stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, craving salty foods, dizziness, feeling light-head, and headache.

Dexmedetomidine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

fever with shortness of breath or rapid breathing.

Common side effects of dexmedetomidine may include:

slow heartbeats;

low blood pressure;

dry mouth; or

nausea, vomiting, and agitation.

Some side effects are more common in children receiving dexmedetomidine injection such as slow breathing, high blood pressure.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Dexmedetomidine injection

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

diabetes;

high blood pressure;

a serious heart condition such as "AV block" (2nd or 3rd degree);

a heart rhythm disorder;

low blood pressure, if you are dehydrated; or

liver disease.

It is not known if dexmedetomidine injection will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

If you are breastfeeding, tell your doctor if you notice irritability in the nursing baby.

Relate drugs

How to use Dexmedetomidine injection

Usual Adult Dose for Sedation:

Intensive Care Unit Sedation: -Initial Dose: Loading dose of 1 mcg/kg IV infusion over 10 minutes.-Maintenance Dose: 0.2 to 0.7 mcg/kg/hour IV infusion; adjust the infusion rate to achieve the desired clinical effect.Procedural Sedation:-Initial Dose (including Awake Fiberoptic Intubation): 1 mcg/kg IV infusion over 10 minutes.-Maintenance Dose: Initiate IV infusion at 0.6 mcg/kg/hour and titrate to achieve the desired clinical effect; doses may range from 0.2 to 1 mcg/kg/hour.Uses: Sedation of initially intubated and mechanically ventilated patients during treatment in an intensive care setting; sedation of non-intubated patients prior to and/or during surgical and other procedures.

Usual Geriatric Dose for Sedation:

Over Age 65 Years:Intensive Care Unit Sedation: Dose reduction may be required; however, no specific guidelines have been suggested. Procedural Sedation: -Initial Dose: May be omitted or reduced (e.g., 0.5 mcg/kg IV infusion over 10 minutes).-Maintenance Dose: Dose reduction may be required; however, no specific guidelines have been suggested.Uses: Sedation of initially intubated and mechanically ventilated patients during treatment in an intensive care setting; sedation of non-intubated patients prior to and/or during surgical and other procedures.

Warnings

Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.

What other drugs will affect Dexmedetomidine injection

Using dexmedetomidine with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Other drugs may affect dexmedetomidine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.