Dexmedetomidine Viatris (Dexmedetomidine Hydrochloride)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Dexmedetomidine Viatris Used For?
Dexmedetomidine Viatris is a sedative medication that helps keep patients calm and sleepy during medical procedures. It belongs to a group of medicines called alpha-2-receptor agonists and works by affecting brain chemicals.
Primary Uses
This medication is used for two main purposes: 1) Intensive Care Sedation – to keep adults calm while they’re on a breathing machine in the ICU for up to 24 hours, and 2) Procedural Sedation – to help adults stay calm and sleepy before operations when they’re not on a breathing machine.
How It Works
Dexmedetomidine works by targeting specific receptors in the brain (alpha-2-receptors) and affecting brain chemicals to produce a calming, sedative effect.
How to Take Dexmedetomidine Viatris
Dexmedetomidine Viatris is only given by healthcare professionals in a hospital setting. You cannot take this medication yourself.
Dosage Instructions
Your doctor will determine the exact dose based on your condition, weight, and other factors. The medication is given as a slow injection (drip) into a vein. The dose will be continuously adjusted to keep you at the right level of sedation or sleep.
What If You Miss a Dose?
This does not apply as the medication is administered continuously by medical staff who monitor your condition.
Important: This medication can only be given by a doctor or nurse in a hospital setting. It requires continuous monitoring.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Headache
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Looking pale
- Feeling chills
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- High temperature
- Dry mouth
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Feelings of agitation, anxiety, confusion, hallucination or tiredness
- Trouble with speech or understanding speech
- Pain, tingling or numbness
- Fluid retention or swelling in arms or legs
- Changes in blood sugar levels
- Increased sweating
- Changes to vision/blurred vision
- Reduced or increased urine output or feeling thirsty
- Lack of appetite
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Dry eyes that may cause damage if untreated
- Clammy skin
- Severe headache
- Changes in heart rate including slowing or quickening of heartbeat or palpitations
- Shortness of breath, rapid breathing, wheezing or breathing difficulties
- Fainting
- Loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep
- Difficulty staying asleep
- Cough
- Chest pain
- Pressure, tightness or pain in chest or arms that may spread to neck, jaw or back
- Unusual bruising
- Overheating of body that you can’t control by normal cooling methods
- Excessive thirst, extreme fatigue, lack of energy, confusion, muscle twitching or spasms, restlessness, seizures
- Jaundice or yellowing of skin or eyeballs, often with fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, dark colored urine or light colored bowel movements
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings to be aware of before receiving Dexmedetomidine Viatris.
Who Should Not Take Dexmedetomidine Viatris
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to dexmedetomidine hydrochloride or any other ingredients. This medication should not be given to children under 18 years of age as safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have diabetes, kidney or liver problems, heart problems, high or low blood pressure, or any allergies to medicines, foods, preservatives, or dyes. Elderly patients over 65 may be more prone to blood pressure lowering effects and should be monitored carefully.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
This medication may affect your developing baby if used during pregnancy. The active ingredient passes into breast milk and may affect your baby. Discuss with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Elderly Patients: An increased risk of death has been seen in patients 65 years and under, particularly those in ICU for non-surgical reasons, with severe disease, and younger than 65. Your doctor will assess if this medicine is suitable for you.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interact with Dexmedetomidine Viatris and affect how it works.
- Medicines used to produce calmness or help you sleep (sevoflurane, isoflurane, propofol, alfentanil, midazolam)
- Strong pain relievers
- Blood pressure medications such as beta-blockers
Alcohol & Driving
Dexmedetomidine Viatris can affect your ability to drive and operate machinery, and you should be cautious about these activities.
Alcohol
Information about alcohol interactions was not specifically provided in the source material.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how Dexmedetomidine Viatris affects you. This medication may cause dizziness, light-headedness, tiredness, and drowsiness, which can affect your alertness. Ask your doctor when you can return to work if it involves driving or operating machinery or heavy equipment.
Temperature Regulation
One serious side effect includes overheating of your body that you can’t control by normal cooling methods. This requires immediate medical attention.
Storage
Dexmedetomidine Viatris will be stored in the hospital pharmacy or kept on the ward. The injection is kept in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. If it has expired or is damaged, it will be disposed of by the hospital pharmacist.
Overdose Information
Since Dexmedetomidine Viatris is given under medical supervision, it’s very unlikely you’ll receive too much. However, overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, weakness, or becoming unconscious. If you think you or someone else has been given too much or experience any side effects, tell your doctor immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
The medication works quickly as it’s given directly into your vein. Your doctor will adjust the dose continuously to maintain the right level of sedation.
This doesn’t apply as Dexmedetomidine Viatris is given as an injection into your vein by medical professionals, not taken by mouth.
The source material does not specifically address addiction potential. This medication is only used in hospital settings under medical supervision.
Tell your doctor about any allergies, medical conditions like diabetes, heart, kidney or liver problems, blood pressure issues, all medications you’re taking, and if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
Elderly patients over 65 may be more prone to blood pressure lowering effects. There’s an increased risk of death in patients 65 and under, particularly those in ICU for non-surgical reasons. Your doctor will assess if it’s suitable for you.
Tell any doctors, dentists, or pharmacists treating you that you received this medication. If having surgery, inform your surgeon or anesthetist. Don’t drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you.
No, Dexmedetomidine Viatris should not be given to children under 18 years of age as safety and effectiveness have not been established in this age group.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.