Open AccessThe Use of Dexmedetomidine to Facilitate Opioid and Benzodiazepine Detoxification in an Infant
Author(s) -
Julia C. Finkel,
Ahmed Elrefai
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
anesthesia and analgesia/anesthesia and analgesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.404
H-Index - 201
eISSN - 1526-7598
pISSN - 0003-2999
DOI - 10.1213/01.ane.0000113547.34160.a5
Subject(s) - dexmedetomidine , medicine , benzodiazepine , anesthesia , midazolam , bispectral index , fentanyl , sedation , opioid , intensive care , agonist , methadone , intensive care medicine , receptor
Prolonged use of opioids and benzodiazepines for the care of critically ill infants and children can generate physical dependence. We present a case of an 8-mo-old infant with Hunter's syndrome who was maintained on very large doses of fentanyl and midazolam and who could not be weaned from these drugs by conventional taper. We used dexmedetomidine, an alpha(2)-adrenergic agonist, to facilitate opioid and benzodiazepine withdrawal. A processed electroencephalogram (Bispectral Index) was used to guide the titration of dexmedetomidine in this neurologically impaired infant. This is the first report of this drug being used in an infant to manage chemical dependence withdrawal.