Dexmedetomidine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 11, 2025.

Applies to dexmedetomidine: intravenous solution.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress closely while you are receiving this medicine to make sure this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause hypotension (low blood pressure). Check with your doctor right away if you have blurred vision, confusion, dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position, sweating, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Check with your doctor right away if you have chest pain or discomfort, lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting, slow or irregular heartbeat, trouble breathing, or unusual tiredness. These may be symptoms of bradycardia (slow heartbeat).

This medicine may cause hyperthermia (high body temperature). Check with your doctor right away if you have dizziness, fast, shallow breathing, fast, weak heartbeat, muscle cramps, pale, clammy skin, thirst, or extremely high fever or body temperature.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of dexmedetomidine

Along with its needed effects, dexmedetomidine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking dexmedetomidine:

Other side effects of dexmedetomidine

Some side effects of dexmedetomidine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

See also:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to dexmedetomidine: intravenous solution, sublingual film.

Cardiovascular adverse events

• Very common (10% or more): Hypotension (56%), bradycardia (42%), systolic hypertension (28%), hypotension requiring intervention (28%), tachycardia (25%), hypertension requiring intervention (19%), hypertension (16%), diastolic hypertension (12%), tachycardia requiring intervention (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Atrial fibrillation, sinus tachycardia, myocardial ischemia or infarction, bradycardia requiring intervention
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Ventricular tachycardia, atrioventricular block first degree, decreased cardiac output
• Frequency not reported: Sinus arrest
• Postmarketing reports: Arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, cardiac disorder, extrasystoles, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular arrhythmia, electrocardiogram T wave inversion, prolonged QT, blood pressure fluctuation, heart block^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Respiratory depression (37%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Atelectasis, hypoxia, pulmonary edema, pleural effusion, respiratory failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, bradypnea, pneumonia, pharyngolaryngeal pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Wheezing, dyspnea, apnea
• Frequency not reported: Decreased respiratory rate
• Postmarketing reports: Bronchospasm, hypercapnia, hypoventilation, pulmonary congestion, respiratory acidosis^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dry mouth, vomiting, constipation, abdominal distension, abdominal pain, diarrhea^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Decubitus ulcer
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Rash
• Postmarketing reports: Hyperhidrosis^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Anemia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Thrombocytopenia^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypovolemia, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, acidosis, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, hypernatremia, hypophosphatemia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Metabolic acidosis, hypoalbuminemia, electrolyte imbalance
• Postmarketing reports: Hyperkalemia, acidosis^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache
• Postmarketing reports: Convulsion, dizziness, neuralgia, neuritis, speech disorder^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Pyrexia, hyperthermia, chills, post-procedural hemorrhage, withdrawal event/syndrome, rigors, hyperpyrexia, pain, thirst, generalized edema, peripheral edema, sepsis, septic shock
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Ineffective drug
• Frequency not reported: Tolerance, tachyphylaxis
• Postmarketing reports: Light anesthesia^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Agitation, anxiety
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hallucination
• Postmarketing reports: Confusional state, delirium, illusion^[Ref]

Renal

• Common (1% to 10%): Acute renal failure, decreased urine output, oliguria
• Postmarketing reports: Increased blood urea, polyuria^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Postmarketing reports: Abnormal hepatic function, hyperbilirubinemia, increased ALT, increased AST, increased blood alkaline phosphatase, increased gamma-glutamyl transferase^[Ref]

Ocular

• Frequency not reported: Reduced lacrimation
• Postmarketing reports: Photopsia, abnormal vision, visual impairment^[Ref]

Further information

Dexmedetomidine side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer