Dexmedetomidine Dosage

Generic name: dexmedetomidine
Brand names: Precedex, Igalmi
Drug class: Miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics

Medically reviewed by  A Ras MD.

Recommended Adult Dosing

Dosage forms:  SL STRIP: 120 mcg, 180 mcg

Agitation, schizophrenia-associated

[mild-moderate]

Dose: 120 mcg buccally/SL x1; Max: 240 mcg/day; Info: may give additional 60 mcg buccally/SL x1 for up to 2 doses if hemodynamically stable (SBP >90, DBP >60, HR >60) w/o orthostatic hypotension; separate doses by >2h; may cut strip in half; do not chew/swallow strip; avoid food/drink >15min after SL admin. or >1h after buccal admin.

[severe]

Dose: 180 mcg buccally/SL x1; Max: 360 mcg/day; Info: may give additional 90 mcg buccally/SL x1 for up to 2 doses if hemodynamically stable (SBP >90, DBP >60, HR >60) w/o orthostatic hypotension; in pts 65 yo and older give 120 mcg buccally/SL x1, then may give additional 60 mcg buccally/SL x1 for up to 2 doses if hemodynamically stable w/o orthostatic hypotension, max 240 mcg/day; separate doses by >2h; may cut strip in half; do not chew/swallow strip; avoid food/drink >15min after SL admin. or >1h after buccal admin.

Agitation, bipolar disorder-associated

[mild-moderate]

Dose: 120 mcg buccally/SL x1; Max: 240 mcg/day; Info: may give additional 60 mcg buccally/SL x1 for up to 2 doses if hemodynamically stable (SBP >90, DBP >60, HR >60) w/o orthostatic hypotension; separate doses by >2h; may cut strip in half; do not chew/swallow strip; avoid food/drink >15min after SL admin. or >1h after buccal admin.

[severe]

Dose: 180 mcg buccally/SL x1; Max: 360 mcg/day; Info: may give additional 90 mcg buccally/SL x1 for up to 2 doses if hemodynamically stable (SBP >90, DBP >60, HR >60) w/o orthostatic hypotension; in pts 65 yo and older give 120 mcg buccally/SL x1, then may give additional 60 mcg buccally/SL x1 for up to 2 doses if hemodynamically stable w/o orthostatic hypotension, max 240 mcg/day; separate doses by >2h; may cut strip in half; do not chew/swallow strip; avoid food/drink >15min after SL admin. or >1h after buccal admin.

Renal dosing

[not defined]

renal impairment: not defined

HD/PD: not defined

Hepatic dosing

[mild-moderate agitation]

Child-Pugh Class A or B: 90 mcg x1, then may give 60 mcg x1 for up to 2 doses, max: 210 mcg/day; Child-Pugh Class C: 60 mcg x1, then may give 60 mcg x1 for up to 2 doses, max: 180 mcg/day

[severe agitation]

Child-Pugh Class A or B: 120 mcg x1, then may give 60 mcg x1 for up to 2 doses, max: 240 mcg/day; Child-Pugh Class C: 90 mcg x1, then may give 60 mcg x1 for up to 2 doses, max: 210 mcg/day

SRC: NLM .