Isr Med Assoc J
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Dexmedetomidine is a relatively new, highly selective, short-acting central alpha 2 agonist. Although not yet officially introduced for clinical use in Israel, it has become increasingly popular among anesthesiologists and intensive care physicians abroad when used as an adjuvant to the classical regimen of anesthesia techniques. Its administration potentiates the effect of other sedative and hypnotic agents while causing minimal respiratory depression. ⋯ DXM minimizes opioid-induced muscle rigidity and attenuates postoperative shivering. These pro-anesthesia effects are attributed to the capability of DXM to reduce central adrenergic outflow. Although its precise mechanism(s) of action are still debatable, DXM will undoubtedly find an increasing role in clinical peri-operative anesthesia.