TheraRadar
Data updated: May 26, 2026

DEXMEDETOMIDINE HYDROCHLORIDE

CNS Approved 2014-08-18

Dexmedetomidine hydrochloride is a sedative indicated for use in two primary adult populations. First, it is used for initially intubated and mechanically ventilated patients in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting, administered by continuous infusion for no more than 24 hours. It may be continued through the extubation process. Second, it is indicated for the sedation of non-intubated patients prior to and/or during surgical and other medical procedures.

How DEXMEDETOMIDINE HYDROCHLORIDE Works

Dexmedetomidine is a relatively selective, centrally acting alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist. It induces sedation by stimulating alpha-2 receptors in the brainstem, which inhibits the release of norepinephrine. While it is selective for alpha-2 receptors at low to medium doses, alpha-1 activity may be observed at very high doses or during rapid intravenous administration.

33
Indications
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Phase 3 Trials
11
Years on Market

DEXMEDETOMIDINE HYDROCHLORIDE Approval History

2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Original
New Indication
New Form
Label Update
144 FDA actions from 2014 to 2026 · 1 indication expansions
May 2026 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Apr 2026 ORIGINAL
Update
Mar 2026 SUPPL
Label · Labeling

What DEXMEDETOMIDINE HYDROCHLORIDE Treats

1 indications

DEXMEDETOMIDINE HYDROCHLORIDE is approved for 1 conditions since its original approval in 2014. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

  • Sedation
Source: FDA Label

DEXMEDETOMIDINE HYDROCHLORIDE Competitive Set

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Three rings of competition based on shared molecular targets and treated indications.

MoA expansion candidates

1

Same target(s), different indications — where else is this mechanism being explored?

Indication competitors

2

Same indication, different mechanism — what else might this patient receive?

Filters applied: drops same-active-ingredient (505(b)(2) reformulations), route-mismatch (topical vs systemic), and cross-therapeutic-area matches in same-indication rings.

Drugs Similar to DEXMEDETOMIDINE HYDROCHLORIDE

FDA-approved drugs for similar conditions. Compare mechanisms and indications to understand treatment alternatives.

FLUMAZENIL
FLUMAZENIL
1 shared
Baxter
Shared indications:
Sedation
PRECEDEX
DEXMEDETOMIDINE HYDROCHLORIDE
1 shared
Pfizer
Shared indications:
Sedation
PROPOFOL
PROPOFOL
1 shared
Baxter
Shared indications:
Sedation
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Clinical Trial Registry

21 trials
Trial Sponsor ID Phase Status Title
NCT04772222 DICE results posted 136561 Ph 2 completed Dexmedetomidine Use in Infants Undergoing Cooling Due to Neonatal Encephalopathy (DICE Trial)
NCT05793060 DTH: 23001 Ph 4 recruiting Dexmedetomidine Versus Dexamethasone as Adjuvants to Bupivacaine for Intermediate Cervical Plexus Block
NCT06575530 IIT2024-001-002 Ph 4 recruiting Sedation Efficacy and Safety of Remazolam Besylate in Ventilated Surgical Critically Ill Patients
NCT06417125 K2024-01-006 Ph 4 completed Intranasal Dexmedetomidine Versus Oral Midazolam Premedication for Postoperative Negative Behavior Changes in Children
NCT03708315 DEX 2000023998 Ph 1 completed BXCL501 for Agitation in Schizophrenia
NCT06720220 Airway topicalization Ph 3 completed Role of Airway Topicalization in Awake Fiberoptic Intubation
NCT04824144 339633386643463 Ph 1, Ph 2 recruiting Effects of Dexmedetomidine in Patients With Agitated Delirium in Palliative Care
NCT06808295 DCR 24-11-17-6-5 Ph 1 recruiting Dexmedetomidine an Effective Drug in Reducing Anesthetic Requirements in External Dacrocystorhinostomy (DCR) Patients
NCT04042727 C-RAD results posted IRB2019-00250 Ph 2, Ph 3 terminated Controlling Rapid Atrial Fibrillation With Dexmedetomidine
NCT05552391 N-88-2022 Ph 4 completed Dexametomedine Versus Ketamine as an Adjuvant in Erector Spinae Block for Perioperative Thoracotomy Pain Control
NCT05993975 SAbbas Ph 4 completed Effects of Intrathecal Dexmedetomidine as an Adjuvant to Low Dose Hyperbaric 0.5% Bupivacaine
NCT03078946 results posted 1775 Ph 4 completed Dexmedetomidine Versus Morphine and Midazolam in Prevention and Treatment of Delirium After Adult Cardiac Surgery
NCT03530371 17-HPNCL-02 Ph 3 completed Intranasal Dexmedetomidine for Sedated Hearing Testing
NCT04971759 17300618 Ph 2, Ph 3 completed Dexmedetomidine to Levobupivacaine for Transversus Abdominis Plane Block in Elderly Patients Undergoing Inguinal Hernia Repair Surgery
NCT04968392 17300626 Ph 2, Ph 3 completed Single-shot Adductor Canal Block With Levobupivacaine and Dexmedetomidine in Total Knee Arthroplasty
NCT01438957 results posted DEX-303 Ph 3 completed Clinical Study to Investigate the Efficacy and the Safety of DA-9501 in Sedation During the Surgery With Epidural Anesthesia or Spinal Anesthesia Without Intubation
NCT03290625 PV0939-2017 Ph 4 completed Intranasal Sedation With Dexmedetomidine and Ketamine in Pediatric Dentistry (NASO II)
NCT04027829 1905-188-1037 Ph 2 completed Pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics and Safety of Dexmedetomidine in Children
NCT03940469 IBBB Interscalene Dexmedetomidine Ph 4 completed Dexmedetomidine Versus Dexamethasone With Levobupivacaine in Interscalene Block
NCT02757625 results posted C0801017 ZIN-DEX-1506 Ph 3 completed Study of DA-9501 In Pediatric Subjects In The Intensive Care Unit
NCT00691886 2008-011 Ph 4 withdrawn Safety and Efficacy of Intravenous (IV) Dexmedetomidine During Flexible Bronchoscopy and Endobronchial Ultrasound
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Active Pipeline

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Ongoing clinical trials by development phase

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Key Completed Trials

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Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance

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Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

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Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

DEXMEDETOMIDINE HYDROCHLORIDE FDA Label Details

Indications & Usage

FDA Label (PDF)

DEXMEDETOMIDINE HYDROCHLORIDE is indicated for the treatment of Sedation.

View full patent landscape →
2 OB patents · 1 families · 9 international docs across 7 countries

DEXMEDETOMIDINE HYDROCHLORIDE Patents & Exclusivity

Latest Patent: Apr 2036

Patents (2 active)

US9717796 Expires Apr 20, 2036
US9649296 Expires Apr 20, 2036
Source: FDA Orange Book

Pro Intelligence Preview

Deep insights for DEXMEDETOMIDINE HYDROCHLORIDE

Revenue Insights

  • Quarterly revenue tracking
  • Historical trend analysis

Patent Timeline

  • Cliff: 2036
  • 16 active patents

Trial Analysis

  • Clinical trial tracking
  • Development stage analysis

Competitive Landscape

  • 3 similar drugs
  • Same target/indication analysis
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Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.