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Precedex ®

Indications and Safety Information

Precedex is indicated for sedation in nonintubated patients prior to and during surgical and other procedures and in intubated and mechanically ventilated patients during treatment in an intensive care setting.

Precedex should be administered by continuous infusion not to exceed 24 hours.

Caution should be exercised when administering Precedex to patients with advanced heart block and/or severe ventricular dysfunction.

Clinically significant episodes of bradycardia, sinus arrest and hypotension have been associated with Precedex infusion and may necessitate medical intervention.

Please see a more complete description of these and other Warnings and Precautions in the full prescribing information.

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What to Expect

Precedex is the only alpha2 agonist indicated for sedation. Precedex exerts its effects via the alpha2-adrenoceptor. Thus, Precedex has a different mechanism of action that is not GABA-mimetic like that of propofol or a benzodiazepine.

It is important to be aware of the clinical differences you may see with Precedex. This section explains these differences and sets clinical expectations for this IV sedative agent.

For a perspective from two clinicians on what to expect with Precedex, click on the following video.

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Presented by:

  • Christopher Young, MD, Chief of Critical Care Medicine (Department of Anesthesiology) at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina.
  • Dan Herr, MD, an Intensivist at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC.