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What is the mechanism of action (MOA) of Precedex?
What is the mechanism of action (MOA) of Precedex?
Potent alpha2 agonist (CNS & PNS)
What type of sedative hypnotic is Precedex?
What type of sedative hypnotic is Precedex?
What causes the hypnotic effect of Precedex?
What causes the hypnotic effect of Precedex?
Presynaptic alpha 2 receptor stimulation in CNS inhibits locus coeruleus in the pons.
Precedex is ________ times more selective for alpha 2 and ___________ times more selective than clonidine for alpha 2.
Precedex is ________ times more selective for alpha 2 and ___________ times more selective than clonidine for alpha 2.
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What pathways does Precedex activate to produce sedation?
What pathways does Precedex activate to produce sedation?
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At what level does the analgesic effect of Precedex occur?
At what level does the analgesic effect of Precedex occur?
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Which of the following are presynaptic alpha 2 receptor actions? (Select all that apply)
Which of the following are presynaptic alpha 2 receptor actions? (Select all that apply)
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What are the postsynaptic alpha 2 receptor actions? (Select all that apply)
What are the postsynaptic alpha 2 receptor actions? (Select all that apply)
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What are the clinical uses of Precedex? (Select all that apply)
What are the clinical uses of Precedex? (Select all that apply)
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Precedex is highly __________ soluble & ____________% protein bound.
Precedex is highly __________ soluble & ____________% protein bound.
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How is Precedex metabolized?
How is Precedex metabolized?
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Where is Precedex excreted?
Where is Precedex excreted?
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Does Precedex have an active metabolite?
Does Precedex have an active metabolite?
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What is the elimination half-time of Precedex?
What is the elimination half-time of Precedex?
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What is the loading and maintenance dosing for Precedex?
What is the loading and maintenance dosing for Precedex?
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What is the onset time of Precedex after a loading dose?
What is the onset time of Precedex after a loading dose?
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Precedex produces a ________ dependent DEC in CBF.
Precedex produces a ________ dependent DEC in CBF.
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Does Precedex affect CMRO2 or ICP?
Does Precedex affect CMRO2 or ICP?
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What type of sleep does Precedex sedation mimic?
What type of sleep does Precedex sedation mimic?
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Does Precedex provide reliable amnesia?
Does Precedex provide reliable amnesia?
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Does Precedex impair evoked potentials during neuromonitoring?
Does Precedex impair evoked potentials during neuromonitoring?
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Precedex can be useful for '______ ______' testing during neuro procedures.
Precedex can be useful for '______ ______' testing during neuro procedures.
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What are the most common cardiovascular side effects associated with Precedex? (Select all that apply)
What are the most common cardiovascular side effects associated with Precedex? (Select all that apply)
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DEC HR & BP seen from DEC SNS result from ______________ alpha 2 stimulation.
DEC HR & BP seen from DEC SNS result from ______________ alpha 2 stimulation.
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DEC SNS also results in DEC myocardial ________ & ___________.
DEC SNS also results in DEC myocardial ________ & ___________.
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What effect can rapid IV bolus administration of Precedex have?
What effect can rapid IV bolus administration of Precedex have?
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What respiratory effect of Precedex is advantageous for 'difficult airway' management?
What respiratory effect of Precedex is advantageous for 'difficult airway' management?
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Precedex produces an antishivering effect by ___________ the thermoregulatory response.
Precedex produces an antishivering effect by ___________ the thermoregulatory response.
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Precedex (INC/DEC) incidence of ED in pedi.
Precedex (INC/DEC) incidence of ED in pedi.
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Analgesia is produced by ________ -# stimulation in the _________ ________ of the SC by DEC substance P & glutamate release.
Analgesia is produced by ________ -# stimulation in the _________ ________ of the SC by DEC substance P & glutamate release.
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Study Notes
Dexmedetomidine (Precedex) Overview
- Potent alpha2 agonist affecting both CNS and PNS.
- Classified as a non-GABA, non-barbiturate sedative-hypnotic.
Mechanism of Action
- Hypnotic effects arise from presynaptic alpha2 receptor stimulation in the CNS, inhibiting the locus coeruleus, linked to wakefulness and vigilance.
- Approximately 1600 times more selective for alpha2 receptors than other agents and eight times more selective than clonidine.
- Activates pathways that reduce sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity, allowing for easy arousal from sedation.
- Analgesic effects manifest at the spinal cord level.
Receptor Actions
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Presynaptic alpha2 actions:
- Inhibits norepinephrine (NE) release.
- Produces sedation and decreases minimum alveolar concentration (MAC).
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Postsynaptic alpha2 actions:
- Decreases sympathetic nervous system (SNS) tone, blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR).
- Reduces opioid requirements for analgesia.
Clinical Uses
- Effective for sedation during awake fiberoptic intubations.
- Acts as an adjunct to general anesthesia, sparing anesthetic (up to 90% decrease in MAC).
- Provides analgesia and aids in withdrawal from alcohol, opioids, and cocaine.
- Useful for anxiolysis in preoperative pediatric cases, and prolonging motor/sensory blocks with local anesthetics.
Pharmacokinetics
- Highly lipid-soluble; 90% protein-bound.
- Metabolized in the liver through cytochrome P450 enzymes with both Phase I (methylation, hydroxylation) and Phase II (conjugation) processes.
- Excreted via kidneys and gastrointestinal tract, with no known active metabolites.
- Short elimination half-time of 2 to 3 hours.
Dosing Information
- Loading dose of 0.5-1 mcg/kg administered over 10-15 minutes; maintenance infusion of 0.3-0.7 mcg/kg/hr.
- Onset of action occurs within 10-20 minutes post-loading, with a duration of 10-30 minutes after stopping the infusion.
Effects on Cerebral Hemodynamics
- Dose-dependent reduction in cerebral blood flow (CBF) with no change in cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen consumption (CMRO2) or intracranial pressure (ICP), indicating an uncoupling between CBF and CMRO2.
- Sedation mimics natural sleep patterns.
Memory and Neuromonitoring
- Amnesia is not reliably produced; may not impair evoked potentials during neuromonitoring.
- Useful for "wake-up" testing during neuro procedures.
Cardiovascular and Respiratory Effects
- Common cardiovascular side effects include bradycardia and hypotension resulting from peripheral alpha2 stimulation and reduced SNS tone.
- Rapid IV bolus can initially increase BP due to vasoconstriction before the central response takes over.
- Maintains respiratory function with minimal reduction in ventilation and absence of respiratory depression, beneficial for managing difficult airways.
Antishivering and Pediatric Considerations
- Impairs the thermoregulatory response to produce an antishivering effect.
- Reduces the incidence of emergence delirium (ED) in pediatric patients.
Analgesia Mechanism
- Analgesic efficacy is linked to alpha2 stimulation in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, decreasing the release of substance P and glutamate.
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Test your knowledge about Dexmedetomidine, known as Precedex, with these flashcards. Covering its mechanism of action, classification as a sedative hypnotic, and its effects on the central nervous system, this quiz is perfect for students and professionals in the medical field.