Dexmedetomidine

Category: pharmacological

Aliases: Precedex

Pharmacological Mechanism

Selective α2-adrenergic agonist — sedation without respiratory depression (preserves arousability). ICU sedation alternative to benzodiazepines reduces delirium incidence; procedural sedation. Bradycardia + hypotension (especially with bolus loading).

Half-Life (t½)

IV: 2h, IN: 2h

Dosing Guidelines

• IV: Typical 0.7 mcg (Range: 0.2–1.4 mcg)

Target Organ Systems

• nervous

Pathways It Modulates

• Acetylcholine synthesis + degradation (activator) — α2-adrenergic (NOT muscarinic — sedation via locus coeruleus disinhibition)
• Mineralocorticoid receptor (inhibitor) — aldosterone secretion (α2-mediated; modest)

Chemical Identifiers

• PubChem CID: 5311068
• Formula: C13H16N2
• Molecular weight: 200.28 g/mol
• InChIKey: CUHVIMMYOGQXCV-NSHDSACASA-N
• SMILES: CC1=C(C(=CC=C1)[C@H](C)C2=CN=CN2)C

References

• PMID 21318594