Dexmedetomidine may increase the risk of death in ICU patients 65 years of age or younger. This has been demonstrated in a study in 3904 adult ICU patients.
Dexmedetomidine
Products containing dexmedetomidine are used in the ICU as a sleep aid prior to a (surgical) examination or to keep patients asleep.
Advice for healthcare providers
The advice for healthcare providers is to weigh this increased risk of death against the expected clinical benefit of dexmedetomidine compared to other sedation in patients younger than 65 years.
Intensive care specialists, anesthetists and hospital pharmacies, among others, have been informed about this.
The product information of dexmedetomidine-containing products is updated with a warning and a description of the risk factors for an increased risk of death in ICU patients 65 years of age or younger.