Dexmedetomidine

Dexmedetomidine (pronounced dex-me-de-toe-mi-deen) is a type of sedative medication primarily used in the intensive care unit (ICU) to reduce agitation and anxiety among patients. It is also used for procedural sedation and to facilitate mechanical ventilation.

Etymology

The term "Dexmedetomidine" is derived from its chemical structure. The prefix "dex-" refers to the dextrorotatory isomer of medetomidine, which is the active component of the drug. "Medetomidine" is a combination of "medet", a Latin root meaning "middle", and "tomidine", a suffix used in pharmacology to denote substances that affect the nervous system.

Pharmacology

Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist. This means it works by binding to alpha-2 receptors in the brain, which helps to decrease sympathetic activity and thus produces a calming effect. It is often used in the ICU due to its unique ability to provide sedation without causing significant respiratory depression.

Related Terms

Sedative: A class of drugs that reduces excitement, anxiety, or agitation.
Intensive Care Unit (ICU): A department in a hospital where critically ill patients are cared for by specially trained staff.
Procedural Sedation: A technique of administering sedatives or dissociative agents with or without analgesics to induce a state that allows the patient to tolerate unpleasant procedures.
Mechanical Ventilation: A method to assist or replace spontaneous breathing in patients who are critically ill or undergoing surgery.
Alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonist: A type of drug that stimulates alpha-2 receptors in the brain, leading to a variety of physiological effects.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Dexmedetomidine
Wikipedia's article - Dexmedetomidine

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Dexmedetomidine