Dexmedetomidine may also have advantages
over benzodiazepines, since it produces
analgesia, causes less respiratory depression, and
seemingly provides a qualitatively different type
of sedation in which patients are more interactive
and so potentially better able to communicate
their needs.19 As compared with lorazepam
and midazolam, dexmedetomidine resulted in less
delirium and a shorter duration of mechanical
ventilation but not reduced stays in the ICU or
hospital.19-21 When two short-acting and titratable
drugs such as propofol and dexmedetomidine
were compared, there was no significant
difference in the time spent at the target sedation
level and no difference in either the duration
of mechanical ventilation or ICU stay