Dexmedetomidine

Dexmedetomidine is a potent alpha(2)-adrenoceptor agonist with 8 times high er affinity for the alpha(2)-adrenoceptor than clonidine. Dexmedetomidine has shown sedative, analgesic and anxiolytic effects after intravenous administration to healthy volunteers or postsurgical patients i n the intensive care unit, Dexmedetomidine produced a predictable haemodynamic decline (dose-dependent ly decreased arterial blood pressure and heart rate) in postsurgical patien ts coinciding with reductions in plasma catecholamines. In phase III clinical trials, dexmedetomidine 0.2 to 0.7 mu g/kg/h produced clinically effective sedation and significantly reduced the analgesic requ irements of postsurgical ventilated intensive care unit patients, There was no clinically apparent respiratory depression after cessation of assisted ventilation. Dexmedetomidine produced rapid and stable sedation in postsurgical ventilat ed patients while maintaining a high degree of patient rousability and anxi ety reduction. Dexmedetomidine was well tolerated in phase III studies, The most frequentl y observed adverse events were hypotension, bradycardia and nausea.