Imagine that you have to undergo an operation or a difficult medical test. It is normal to feel a little scared and nervous at that time. So today we are talking about a special medicine that doctors use to calm you down and send you into a light sleep. This is a shot called dexmedetomidine.
Simply put, what is Dexmedetomidine?
This is a medicine that is given to make you sleepy and calm you down before and during surgery or a medical test. More specifically, it affects your nervous system, calming it down and reducing your anxiety and fear. This can help you relax, sometimes even to the point of falling asleep.
This medicine is not something you can buy at a pharmacy. It is only given by a medical team in a hospital or clinic. In our country, this medicine can be found under the brand name `Precedex`.
Things you need to tell your doctor before using this medicine
Before you get this vaccine, your doctor will want to know your complete health history, as it is very important for your safety. Be sure to tell them about any of the following conditions, especially:
- Diabetes: If you have diabetes.
- Heart disease: Any type of heart disease or heart function problem.
- High blood pressure: If you have high blood pressure.
- Liver disease: If you have any medical condition related to liver function.
- Allergies: If you have an allergic reaction not only to dexmedetomidine, but also to any other medicine, food, dyes, or preservatives in clothing, please state this clearly.
- Pregnancy: If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother: If you are breastfeeding your baby.
By giving this information to your doctor, he can safely decide whether to give you this medication and, if so, how to give it.
How can I give you this medicine?
This medicine is given to you as an injection into a vein. This is done in a hospital or clinic by a trained medical team. This means that this is not a medicine you can take home. While the medicine is being given, doctors and nurses will continue to monitor things like your heart rate and blood pressure.
Is this given to children and adults?
- Children: This is used in some special cases, even for babies as young as one month old. But only with great caution and under special medical advice.
- People over 65 years of age: If you are older, the effects of this medicine may be felt a little more strongly. Therefore, doctors usually give you a lower dose.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
It is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including supplements and herbs, as some things can interact with this medication, making you more sleepy or causing other side effects.
See the table below for what those things are.
| Type of medicine/substance | Important facts and examples |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | Alcohol greatly increases the drowsiness and side effects of this medication. |
| Sedatives and sleeping pills | Benzodiazepines (e.g. alprazolam, diazepam, lorazepam) and other sleeping medications. |
| Some medications for depression | Examples include medications such as amitriptyline or trazodone. |
| Some medications for epilepsy | Examples include drugs such as phenobarbital or primidone. |
| Painkillers (Opioids) | Some types of strong painkillers or cough syrups. |
| Other anesthetic drugs | Drugs such as propofol, which are given to induce sleep before surgery. |
This list is not complete, so tell your doctor about anything you are taking.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- Medical supervision: The medical team will monitor you closely while you are given this medicine. So there is nothing to worry about.
- Side effects: You may feel a little sleepy and less alert until the effects of the medicine wear off. Therefore, do not drive or operate dangerous machinery for any reason. Avoid these things until your doctor tells you to.
- Changing positions: You may feel dizzy when you stand up suddenly from a sitting position, or when you stand up. So change positions frequently.
- Alcohol: Drinking alcohol after taking this medication may increase these side effects.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, this can cause side effects in some people. However, not everyone gets them. The table below will give you a clear picture of these.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the medical team immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Low blood pressure | Dizziness, fainting, blurred vision. |
| Slow heartbeat | Dizziness, fainting, difficulty breathing, feeling unusually tired. |
| Fever and rapid breathing | Persistent fever, rapid breathing or heart rate, extreme fatigue. |
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist or are bothersome | |
| Agitation | Feeling anxious and restless. |
| Dry mouth | Feeling of saliva in the mouth and dryness. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you notice anything unusual, tell your doctor or medical team.
What if the medication dose increases?
This medicine is given in a hospital under the supervision of a medical team, so the chance of overdose is very low. However, if you suspect that something like this is happening in any way, that is, if you become unusually sleepy, if your breathing slows down, immediately inform the medical team. Otherwise, immediately inform the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU). In case of overdose of any medicine, you can also call the National Poison Information Center at our National Hospital for advice.
Take-Home Message
- Dexmedetomidine is an injection that is only given in a hospital to calm you down and make you sleepy during surgery or medical tests.
- Before taking this medication, be sure to tell your doctor about all your medical conditions (especially heart disease, liver disease, diabetes) and allergies.
- Inform your doctor about all medications, supplements, and traditional medicines you are taking.
- Avoid driving and operating hazardous machinery completely until the effects of the medication wear off.
- Notify the medical team immediately if you experience severe dizziness, difficulty breathing, decreased heart rate, or allergic symptoms.
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