Dexmedetomidine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 29, 2023.

Applies to dexmedetomidine: intravenous solution.

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:

More common

Blurred vision
chest pain or discomfort
confusion
coughing
dizziness
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting suddenly up from a lying or sitting position
headache
irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
nervousness
pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
pounding in the ears
slow or fast heartbeat
sweating
trouble breathing
unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

Bleeding gums
bloody urine
coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
coughing up blood
drowsiness
dry mouth
extremely high fever or body temperature
fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
fever
flushed, dry skin
fruit-like breath odor
increased hunger
increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
increased thirst
increased urination
loss of appetite
lower back or side pain
mood or mental changes
muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
muscle spasms or twitching seizures
nausea
nosebleeds
numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet
pale, clammy skin
paralysis
prolonged bleeding from cuts
red or black, tarry stools
red or dark brown urine
seizures
stomach cramps
swelling of face, fingers, legs, or ankles
tremor
unexplained weight gain or loss
vomiting

Incidence not known

Chest tightness
confusion as to time, place, or person
frequent urination
holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact
increased volume of pale, dilute urine
irritability
no blood pressure
pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
restlessness
seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
shakiness
sleepiness
slow to respond
slurred speech
stomach pain
stopping of the heart
unconsciousness
unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness
weakness or heaviness of the legs
yellow eyes or skin

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:

More common

Anxiety
constipation
shaking

Incidence not known

Hives, itching, rash
redness of the skin
seeing flashes or sparks of light

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to dexmedetomidine: intravenous solution, sublingual film.

Cardiovascular

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]