Precedex

[Stlcardsrock]

We were just courted by the Precedex guy from Abbott recently and a lot of us haven't used Precedex before. We are an all encompassing unit here including open heart recovery. Could I get some help on dosages, indicators for titrating the dose, when to discontinue and what your feelings are over for this drug as compared to Diprivan, Fentanyl, Ativan, Versed, et al. Thanks

[richard1980]

I heard its more expensive than propofol but was useful during

the recent propofol shortage. Its supposed to cause less icu

delirium. But when we tried to use it on our unit it didn't

work so well, the pts were still agitated trying to self extubate.

I did read somewhere if you add a lose dose fentanyl gtt

that it is more effective in decreasing agitation. Anyone else?

It's useful if it's started in surgery and used as a bridge to extubation, its usually not started correctly. The patient needs to be kept in a dim quiet room without a lot of stimulation and usually helps if they're on a benzo and/or narcotic because it's potentiates the effects. I think it's only FDA approved for 24 hours but some docs will use it for days and days...

[Guest193822]

We don't use Precedex at all for our hearts. My experience with Precdex isn't great b/c it doesn't work all the time & it does cause hypotension & bradycardia.

It's for short term intubations & easy neruo checks, but it doesn't work for every patient.

We've used it for 2 yrs now & I'm not a fan of it, it usually causes me more work for fix the side effects for such an expensive drug.

go to the main website http://www.precedex.com/ it should explain dose there.

This is a medication of mcg/kg/hr & I agree bolus of medication does cause issues with hypotention & I usually give it in 10 mins but stop it before then & just start the maintenance rate.