Intranasal dexmedetomidine in elderly subjects with or without beta blockade: a randomised double-blind single-ascending-dose cohort study

The aim of this double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-ascending-dose study was to determine the safety and tolerability of intranasal dexmedetomidine in the elderly. We randomly assigned 48 surgical patients ≥65 yr of age to receive single intranasal doses of dexmedetomidine or placebo (5:1 ratio) in four sequential dose cohorts: 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 μg kg One subject (1.0 μg kg Intranasal dexmedetomidine in elderly subjects had a sedative effect, but caused a high incidence of profound and sustained hypotension irrespective of β-blocker use. The technique is unsuitable for routine clinical use. NTR5513 (The Netherlands Trial Registry 5513).