TY  - JOUR
T1  - COmparing dexmedetomidine with midazolam for sedation of patients in the icu
AU  - Gupta A, Lee D, Su M
Y1  - 2009/06/17
N1  - 10.1001/jama.2009.839
JO  - JAMA
SP  - 2439
EP  - 2442
VL  - 301
IS  - 23
N2  - 
Dexmedetomidine is an imidazole compound that displays specific and selective α2-adrenoreceptor affinity and has about 8 times greater affinity for the receptor than clonidine.2 Clonidine has been used as a second-line agent for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal.3 Dexmedetomidine has multiple characteristics that indicate potential for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal. These include reducing heart rate, lowering systemic blood pressure, and providing sedation. Case reports show positive outcomes for dexmedetomidine use in alcohol-withdrawal patients.4 In addition, rodent studies show dexmedetomidine to alleviate symptoms in ethanol-dependent rats.5 Dexmedetomidine may also be helpful in patients with severe withdrawal from other agents acting on GABA receptors. We have noted dexmedetomidine being used in our ICU as a second-line agent for the treatment of alcohol-withdrawal syndrome in nonintubated patients.

SN  - 0098-7484
M3  - doi: 10.1001/jama.2009.839
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2009.839
ER  -