Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The
full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine,
speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
1. Why am I being given DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS?
DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS contains the active ingredient dexmedetomidine hydrochloride.
DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS can be used as a sedative (calming agent) if adults need to
be calm or sleepy in the Intensive Care Unit whilst they are being ventilated (on
a breathing machine). It can also be given to adults prior to an operation if they
are not on a ventilator (breathing machine) and if they are required to be sleepy
and calm for the procedure or surgery performed in a hospital.
2. What should I know before I am given DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to dexmedetomidine hydrochloride
or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI. Talk to your doctor if you
have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines, or are pregnant or plan
to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS and affect how it works.
These include medicines used to produce calmness or to help you sleep and strong pain
relievers.
4. How is DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS given?
DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS is given by a slow injection (drip) into a vein by a doctor
or nurse in the hospital. Your doctor will decide what dose you will receive. This
depends on your condition and other factors such as your weight. The dose will be
adjusted to keep you at the right depth of sleep or sedation.
5. What should I know while being given DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS?
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Things you should do
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If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you were given
DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS. It may affect other medicines used during surgery.
Tell your doctor if you find out that you are pregnant.
If you are about to have any blood tests, tell your doctor that you have been given
this medicine.
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Driving or using machines
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Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS affects
you.
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6. Are there any side effects?
Side effects of this medicine may include: headache; dizziness; light-headedness;
nausea; vomiting; high temperature; feeling chills; dry mouth; constipation; diarrhoea;
agitation; confusion; anxiety; hallucination; trouble with speech / understanding
speech; fainting; tiredness; fluid retention (swelling in arms / legs); increased
sweating; vision change; dry eyes; clammy skin; reduced or increased urine output;
thirst; slowing or quickening of heart beat or palpitations; shortness of breath,
rapid breathing or breathing difficulties; wheezing; tightness or pain in chest or
arms that may spread to your neck, jaw or back; loud snoring, gasping for air during
sleep; jaundice; unusual bruising; extreme fatigue; muscle twitching or spasms; restlessness;
seizures.
Active ingredient: Dexmedetomidine (as hydrochloride)
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about using DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I being given DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS?
DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS contains the active ingredient dexmedetomidine hydrochloride.
This medicine belongs to a group of medicines called alpha-2- receptor agonists. This
medicine works by its actions on brain chemicals.
DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS is used for:
Intensive Care Sedation
DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS can be used as a sedative (calming agent) if adults need to
be calm or sleepy in the Intensive Care Unit of a hospital whilst they are being ventilated
(on a breathing machine). It may be given as an infusion for up to 24 hours whilst
in a hospital.
Procedural Sedation
DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS can be given to adults prior to an operation if they are not
on a ventilator (breathing machine) and if they are required to be sleepy and calm
for the procedure or surgery performed in a hospital.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed
for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
2. What should I know before I am given DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS?
Warnings
Do not use DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS if:
you are allergic to dexmedetomidine hydrochloride or any of the ingredients listed
at the end of this leaflet.
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
shortness of breath
wheezing or difficulty breathing
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
rash, itching or hives on the skin
Do not give this medicine to a child under the age of 18 years.
Safety and effectiveness of DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS in children younger than 18 years
have not been established.
Check with your doctor if you:
have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
have any other medical conditions such as:
diabetes
kidney or liver problems
heart problems
high or low blood pressure
take any medicines for any other condition.
are over 65 years of age as elderly patients greater than 65 years old may be more
prone to the blood pressure lowering effects of DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS.
An increased risk of death has been seen for patients 65 years of age and under when
using this medicine. This increased risk is seen particularly in patients admitted
to the intensive care unit for reasons other than after surgery; who have a more severe
disease condition; and who are younger than 65. Your doctor will decide if this medicine
is still suitable for you.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
It may affect your developing baby if you use it during pregnancy.
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
The active ingredient in DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS passes into breast milk and there
is a possibility that your baby may be affected.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell him/her before you are
given DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS may interfere with each other.
These include:
medicines used to produce calmness or to help you sleep such as sevoflurane, isoflurane,
propofol, alfentanil and midazolam
strong pain relievers
medicines used to control blood pressure such as beta-blockers.
These medicines may be affected by DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS or may affect how well
it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take
different medicines.
Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or
avoid if you are given this medicine whilst in hospital.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if they affect DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS.
4. How is DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS given?
How much is given
Your doctor will decide what dose you will receive. This depends on your condition
and other factors such as your weight. The dose will be adjusted to keep you at the
right depth of sleep or sedation.
How DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS is given
DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS is given by a slow injection (drip) into a vein. DEXMEDETOMIDINE
VIATRIS should only be given by a doctor or nurse in the hospital.
If you use too much DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS
As DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS is given to you under the supervision of your doctor, it
is very unlikely that you will receive too much.
Symptoms of an overdose may include extreme drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, weakness
or becoming unconscious.
Your doctor has information on how to recognise and treat an overdose. Ask your doctor
if you have any concerns.
If you think you or someone else have been given too much DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS
or if you experience any side effects, tell your doctor immediately.
5. What should I know while being given DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS?
Your doctor will be able to tell you whether there are any special instructions you
should follow after you have been given DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS.
Things you should do
Tell any other doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who treat you that you have been
given this medicine.
If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you have been
given this medicine. It may affect other medicines used during surgery.
If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, tell your doctor immediately.
If you are about to have any blood tests, tell your doctor that you have been given
this medicine. It may interfere with the results of some tests.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how DEXMEDETOMIDINE
VIATRIS affects you.
This medicine may cause dizziness, light-headedness, tiredness, drowsiness, and therefore
affect alertness in some people. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive,
operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Ask your doctor when you can return to work if it involves driving or operating machinery
or heavy equipment.
Things to be careful of
If you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint when getting out of bed or standing up, get
up slowly.
Standing up slowly, especially when you get up from bed or a chair, will help your
body get used to the change in position and blood pressure. If this problem continues
or gets worse, talk to your doctor.
Looking after your medicine
DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS will be stored in the hospital pharmacy or kept on the ward.
The injection is kept in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
If it has expired or is damaged, it will be disposed of by the hospital pharmacist.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
If you are over 65 years of age, you may have an increased chance of getting side
effects.
This medicine helps provide sedation for most people, but it may have unwanted side
effects in some people.
Do not be alarmed by the following list of side effects. You may not experience any
of them.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
Serious side effects
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Serious side effects
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What to do
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dry eyes, that if left untreated may cause damage
clammy skin
severe headache
changes in heart rate including slowing or quickening of heart beat or palpitations
shortness of breath, rapid breathing, wheezing or breathing difficulties
fainting
loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep
difficulty staying asleep
cough
chest pain
pressure, tightness or pain in your chest or arms that may spread to your neck, jaw
or back
unusual bruising
overheating of your body that you can't control by normal cooling methods
excessive thirst, extreme fatigue, lack of energy, confusion, muscle twitching or
spasms, restlessness, seizures
jaundice or a yellowing of the skin or eyeballs, often with fever, fatigue, loss of
appetite, dark coloured urine or light coloured bowel movements.
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Call your doctor straight away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at your
nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects.
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Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Some side effects can only be detected by blood or urine test. Your doctor will monitor
your progress.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS contains
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Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
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118 microgram/mL of dexmedetomidine hydrochloride (equivalent to 100 microgram/mL
dexmedetomidine base)
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Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
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sodium chloride
water for injections
nitrogen
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Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS looks like
DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS (200 microgram/2 mL - AUST R 271410) is a clear, colourless
solution. It is available in 3 mL glass vials.
Who distributes DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS
Alphapharm Pty Ltd trading as Viatris
Level 1, 30 The Bond
30-34 Hickson Road
Millers Point NSW 2000
Phone: 1800 274 276
This leaflet was prepared in July 2025.
DEXMEDETOMIDINE VIATRIS_cmi\Jul25/00