The journal of pediatric pharmacology and therapeutics : JPPT : the official journal of PPAG
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J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther · Nov 2017
Prolonged Dexmedetomidine Infusion and Drug Withdrawal In Critically Ill Children.
To characterise the incidence, symptoms and risk factors for withdrawal associated with prolonged dexmedetomidine infusion in paediatric critically ill patients. ⋯ A withdrawal syndrome may occur after prolonged infusion of dexmedetomidine. As all our patients were also exposed to opioids this may be affected by the duration of opioid use. We identified a cumulative dose of 107 micrograms/kg of dexmedetomidine beyond which withdrawal symptoms were more likely (which equates to 4 days of use at a dose of 1 mcg/kg/hr). A protocol for weaning should be considered in this circumstance.