Dexmedetomidine Clonidine

Q: Infusion of dexmedetomidine in ICU patients can be transitioned to which oral medicine? 



Answer: Clonidine

Although not routinely utilized but dexmedetomidine can be transitioned to oral clonidine. It is safe as well as cost-effective. This is due to the fact of their similar mechanism of action via centrally acting alpha-2-agonist effect. Dexmedetomidine can be gradually titrated down with escalation of clonidine dosage up to 0.2 to 0.5 mg every six hours.

#pharmacology
#sedation


Reference:

Gagnon DJ, Riker RR, Glisic EK, et al. Transition from dexmedetomidine to enteral clonidine for ICU sedation: an observational pilot study. Pharmacotherapy 2015; 35:251.