Dexmedetomidine: A guide to its use for sedation in the intensive care unit in the EU

Abstract

Intravenous dexmedetomidine (Dexdor®) provides an effective and generally well tolerated option for short- or longer-term primary sedation for patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting. It reduces the need for rescue sedation and opioids, and patients sedated with dexmedetomidine are calm and easy to arouse and manage. Moreover, dexmedetomidine is similar to propofol and midazolam in maintaining target sedation levels in ventilated ICU patients requiring longer-term sedation. Adis © 2012 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved.