DEXEM INJECTION
DEXMEDETOMIDINE
What it does
Dexmedetomidine is a medication used to help sedate patients, making them calm and relaxed, often during surgery or other medical procedures.
Commonly used for: sedation during surgery, sedation in intensive care
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Source: Pharmacy and Poisons Board · fetched 2026-01-28 22:10:51 · updated 2026-03-23 04:56:02
About this medicine
Dexmedetomidine is a medication used to help sedate patients, making them calm and relaxed, often during surgery or other medical procedures.
What it treats
- sedation during surgery
- sedation in intensive care
How it works
Dexmedetomidine works by acting on the brain to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety.
Who it's for
This medication is for adults and children who need sedation for medical procedures.
Cautions
- • Should be used carefully with other medications that can also cause drowsiness.
AI-assisted summary grounded in BNF data - general information only, not medical advice. Always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor.
Clinical monograph: Dexmedetomidine
BNF-referencedDexmedetomidine is a selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist primarily used for sedation in intensive care settings and for procedural sedation. It works by inhibiting norepinephrine release, thereby reducing sympathetic outflow. This results in sedation, analgesia, and a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure, making it suitable for patients requiring sedation without respiratory depression.
Indications
- Sedation for mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care
- Procedural sedation requiring sedation without respiratory depression
Dosage
Children: Refer to the BNF for Children for specific dosing guidance.
Adults: Refer to product literature for specific dosing guidelines. It is typically administered as a continuous intravenous infusion or as a bolus injection under close medical supervision.
Mechanism of action
Dexmedetomidine binds to presynaptic alpha-2 adrenoceptors, inhibiting norepinephrine release and thereby terminating the propagation of pain signals. It also activates postsynaptic alpha-2 adrenoceptors, which inhibits sympathetic activity, leading to decreased blood pressure and heart rate.
Pharmacodynamics
By activating alpha-2 adrenoceptors, dexmedetomidine decreases sympathetic tone and attenuates neuroendocrine and hemodynamic responses to anesthesia and surgery. It reduces the requirements for anesthetic agents and opioids while providing sedation and analgesia.
Pharmacokinetics
Dexmedetomidine is administered intravenously and has a rapid onset of action. It is metabolized primarily in the liver through glucuronidation and has a short elimination half-life, allowing for quick recovery from sedation. The pharmacokinetics may be altered in populations with hepatic impairment or in elderly patients.
Contra-indications
- Hypersensitivity to dexmedetomidine or any of the excipients
- Severe cardiovascular disease
- Bradycardia or heart block
Adverse effects
- Hypotension
- Bradycardia
- Dry mouth
- Sedation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Confusion
Interactions
- Concurrent use with other sedatives may enhance sedative effects
- Caution with antihypertensive agents due to additive hypotensive effects
- Potential interactions with opioids
Precautions
- Use with caution in patients with compromised cardiovascular function
- Monitor heart rate and blood pressure closely during administration
- Should only be administered by trained personnel experienced in its use
Pregnancy
Safety during pregnancy has not been established; use only if clearly needed.
Breast-feeding
Caution is advised; effects on nursing infants are unknown.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place away from light. Protect from freezing.
Formulations
- 500 mg/10 ml solution for injection vials
AI-synthesized from BNF references - general information only, not a substitute for professional medical advice or the current BNF. Verify doses with a pharmacist.
Molecular reference: Dexmedetomidine
PubChem CID 5311068Molecular formula: C13H16N2
Mechanism of action
Dexmedetomidine is a specific and selective alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist. By binding to the presynaptic alpha-2 adrenoceptors, it inhibits the release if norepinephrine, therefore, terminate the propagation of pain signals. Activation of the postsynaptic alpha-2 adrenoceptors inhibits the sympathetic activity decreases blood pressure and heart rate.
Pharmacodynamics
Dexmedetomidine activates 2-adrenoceptors, and causes the decrease of sympathetic tone, with attenuation of the neuroendocrine and hemodynamic responses to anesthesia and surgery; it reduces anesthetic and opioid requirements; and causes sedation and analgesia.
Source: PubChem (NCBI) · pathways from PathBank, Reactome, WikiPathways & PharmGKB.
This drug in other countries
The same active ingredient registered across other registries we cover - including different brands.
- DEXITHERA 4 μg/ml
- DEXMEDETOMIDINE 1 000 μg B. BRAUN
- DEXMEDETOMIDINE 200 μg B. BRAUN
- DEXMEDETOMIDINE 400 μg B. BRAUN
- DEXMIRUB
- DEXSEDATE