Dexmedetomidine

Dexmedetomidine
	Above: molecular structure of dexmedetomidine Below: 3D ball and stick representation of a dexmedetomidine molecule
Clinical data
Trade names	Precedex, others
Other names	MPV-1440;
AHFS/Drugs.com	Monograph
License data	US DailyMed: Dexmedetomidine;
Pregnancy; category	AU: B1;
Routes of; administration	Intravenous, sublingual, buccal
ATC code	N05CM18 (WHO) ;
Legal status
Legal status	AU: S4 (Prescription only); BR: Class C1 (Other controlled substances); US: ℞-only; EU: Rx-only; In general: ℞ (Prescription only);
Pharmacokinetic data
Protein binding	94% (mostly albumin)
Metabolism	Near complete hepatic metabolism to inactive metabolites
Elimination half-life	2–4 hours
Excretion	Urine
Identifiers
	IUPAC name (S)-4-[1-(2,3-Dimethylphenyl)ethyl]-3H-imidazole;
CAS Number	113775-47-6 ;
PubChem CID	68602;
DrugBank	DB00633 ;
ChemSpider	4470605 ;
UNII	67VB76HONO;
KEGG	D00514 ; as HCl: D01205 ;
ChEBI	CHEBI:4466 ;
ChEMBL	ChEMBL778 ;
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID10873388 ;
ECHA InfoCard	100.119.391
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C13H16N2
Molar mass	200.285 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image;
	SMILES Cc2cccc([C@H](C)c1c[nH]cn1)c2C;
	InChI InChI=1S/C13H16N2/c1-9-5-4-6-12(10(9)2)11(3)13-7-14-8-15-13/h4-8,11H,1-3H3,(H,14,15)/t11-/m0/s1 ; Key:CUHVIMMYOGQXCV-NSHDSACASA-N ;
	(verify)

Dexmedetomidine, sold under the brand name Precedex among others, is a medication used for sedation. Veterinarians use dexmedetomidine for similar purposes in treating cats, dogs, and horses. It is also used in humans to treat acute agitation associated with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. It is administered as an intravenous solution or as a buccal or sublingual film.

Similar to clonidine, dexmedetomidine is a sympatholytic drug that acts as an agonist of α₂-adrenergic receptors in certain parts of the brain. It was developed by Orion Pharma.