Dexmedetomidine Induced Polyuria in the Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Dexmedetomidine is an α2-adrenergic used as an adjunct therapy for sedation in the intensive care unit. While it is known to cause polyuria exclusively in perioperative conditions, not many cases are known in the intensive care unit, thus making the diagnosis challenging. We present the case of a 61-year-old male who had developed polyuria secondary to central diabetes insipidus after receiving dexmedetomidine intravenous infusion in the medical ICU. Increased awareness of this uncommon side effect of dexmedetomidine will help clinicians recognize and address it early.

Dexmedetomidine-induced polyuria in the intensive care unit: a case report

“…In our patient, we started 0.2 to 0.5 μg/kg per hour without loading dose and without midazolam infusion with no urine output change and then increased it to 1 μg/kg per hour along with polyuria with midazolam initiation. Charran and Lee [4] and Uddin et al [19] reported polyuria at a relatively low dose, whereas Pratt et al [20] reported polyuria at a high dose, similar to that in our patient. When we considered the 2 cases, we noted a similarity in both cases, in which midazolam was administered simultaneously.…”