Dexmedetomidine: The Alpha-2 Enigma in Anesthesia and Beyond

Dexmedetomidine — or “Dex” — has become one of the most intriguing and versatile drugs in the anesthesia world. In this episode of Anesthesia Alchemy with hosts Lynn Macksey, MSN, CRNA and Garry Brydges, PhD, DNP, MBA, CRNA, ACNP-BC, FAAN dive deep into the pharmacology, clinical application, and emerging research surrounding this alpha-2 agonist.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🧠 CNS receptor action and sedative pathways
💉 IV, buccal, spinal, and local delivery methods
🫁 Organ protection and anti-inflammatory effects
🛏️ Potential future use as a sleep aid
🧬 Promising research on cancer immunity and stress modulation

 

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