fentanyl + dexmedetomidine (University of Saskatchewan)

Fentanyl + dexmedetomidine is a pharmacological combination used for anesthesia and analgesia. Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that acts as a mu-opioid receptor agonist, providing rapid-onset pain relief. Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist that provides sedation, anxiolysis, and supplemental analgesia with minimal respiratory depression. In a clinical trial conducted by the University of Saskatchewan, this combination was evaluated as a standard-of-care control regimen in children with sleep-disordered breathing or obstructive sleep apnea undergoing tonsillectomy to compare its effects on postoperative respiratory depression against an opioid-free anesthetic protocol.

Other names

fentanyl and dexmedetomidine