Intravenous Dexmedetomidine Use in Obstetric Anesthesia: A Focused Review

( Int J Obstet Anesth . 2025;62:104345 doi:10.1016/j.ijoa.2025.104345) Dexmedetomidine is a selective alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist with sedative, analgesic, and anxiolytic properties. Although approved by the US Food and Drug Administration only for intensive care sedation and procedural use in non-pregnant patients, recent research highlights its potential applications in obstetric anesthesia. Its off-label use has been investigated in cesarean deliveries (CDs) and other peripartum settings, showing benefits that extend beyond sedation. These include reduced maternal opioid requirements, lower neonatal opioid exposure, decreased incidence of shivering and postoperative nausea, and even improved psychological outcomes such as reduced postpartum depression symptoms.