How do you transition severely agitated ICU patients off a dexmedetomidine infusion when it is being used primarily for psychiatric agitation?
What tapering strategy do you use for dexmedetomidine (Precedex) when it is being used for agitation rather than for sedation in critical illness? Do you use IV haloperidol during the taper to prevent recurrence of agitation— and if so, how do you approach timing and scheduling? Is there a role for alpha-2 agonist bridging (e.g., clonidine) in this setting?
1 Answer
Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Psychiatry · University of Colorado
Answered on · Updated on
Even if initial agitation is felt to be psychiatric, it is important to remember (and remind involved teams) that following intubation and sedation in the ICU, rebound agitation as dexmedetomidine is weaned may have become multifactorial. As such, interventions such as monitoring for contribution fr...
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