From the FDA Drug Label
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Dogs - 0. 1 Sedation and Analgesia: 500 mcg/m2 intramuscularly (IM) or 375 mcg/m2 intravenously (IV). Table 1: CANINE SEDATION/ANALGESIA DOSE TABLE: DEXDOMITOR 0. 1 mg/mL Sedation/analgesia in dogs Dog WeightDexmedetomidine 375 mcg/m2IV lbsKgmcg/kgmL 4.4-72-328.10.64
The lowest dose of Precedex (dexmedetomidine) infusion is 0.28 mcg/kg for a dog weighing 2 kg, which is equivalent to 0.64 mL of DEXDOMITOR 0.1 mg/mL for IV administration, as shown in Table 1 1.
From the Research
The lowest typical starting dose for a Precedex (dexmedetomidine) infusion is 0.2 mcg/kg/hour. To initiate a Precedex drip:
- Start at 0.2 mcg/kg/hour
- Titrate up slowly as needed, typically in 0.1 mcg/kg/hour increments
- Maximum dose is usually 1.4 mcg/kg/hour Important considerations:
- Calculate the dose based on actual body weight
- Monitor for hypotension and bradycardia, especially during initiation
- Adjust dosing for elderly patients or those with liver impairment Precedex is an alpha-2 agonist that provides sedation without respiratory depression. The low starting dose allows for careful titration to achieve the desired level of sedation while minimizing side effects. As patients can be sensitive to its hemodynamic effects, starting low and titrating slowly is the safest approach, as supported by studies such as 2.
Key points to consider when using Precedex include:
- It is used for sedation in various clinical situations, including intensive care unit patients and those undergoing non-invasive procedures
- The dosage may vary depending on the clinical situation, with higher doses sometimes used in specific cases such as burn patients or those with withdrawal symptoms
- Monitoring for adverse hemodynamic and respiratory effects is crucial, although the agent is generally well-tolerated
- The efficacy of dexmedetomidine can vary depending on the clinical context, with greatest efficacy seen in non-invasive procedures and lowest in invasive procedures
- Additional studies, such as 3, 4, 5, and 6, provide further insight into the use of dexmedetomidine in different patient populations and clinical scenarios, but the most recent and highest quality study 2 supports the recommended starting dose.