A case report of an accidental iatrogenic dexmedetomidine overdose in an adult

Suvi-Maria Tiainen; Jonni Unga; Panu Uusalo

doi:10.1186/s12245-024-00613-5

A case report of an accidental iatrogenic dexmedetomidine overdose in an adult

Int J Emerg Med. 2024 Feb 27;17(1):27. doi: 10.1186/s12245-024-00613-5.

Authors

Suvi-Maria Tiainen^{1

2

3}, Jonni Unga⁴, Panu Uusalo^{5

6}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 4-8, P.O. Box 51, Turku, FI-20521, Finland.
² Division of Perioperative Services, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 4-8, P.O. Box 51, Turku, FI-20521, Finland.
³ Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Satasairaala Central Hospital, Satakunta Hospital District, Pori, Finland.
⁴ Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 4-8, P.O. Box 51, Turku, FI- 20521, Finland.
⁵ Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 4-8, P.O. Box 51, Turku, FI-20521, Finland. pijuus@utu.fi.
⁶ Division of Perioperative Services, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 4-8, P.O. Box 51, Turku, FI-20521, Finland. pijuus@utu.fi.

Abstract

Background: Dexmedetomidine is a sedative drug with a wide safety margin.

Case presentation: We present a case of accidental iatrogenic dexmedetomidine overdose in an adult patient during high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment. This is the first case report of an adult patient receiving an intravenous push of dexmedetomidine. Overdose resulted in severe oversedation, but symptoms receded spontaneously over time.

Conclusions: Dexmedetomidine overdoses are infrequent, and they are usually the result of an administration error.

Keywords: Adverse effect; Alpha2-agonists; Case report; Medication error; Oversedation.