title: A comparative evaluation of analgo-sedative effects of oral dexmedetomidine and ketamine: a triple-blind, randomized study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Use of sedative agents for difficult to manage children during dental procedures has been indicated for years, but neither the agent nor the route has been found to be ideal.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of oral dexmedetomidine (D) and ketamine (K) in producing moderate sedation among uncooperative pediatric dental patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective, triple-blind, randomized comparative study included 112 ASA grade I children of both sexes aged 3-10 years, who satisfied all the inclusion criteria. They were randomly divided into four groups and ketamine 8 mg·kg(-1) (K) or dexmedetomidine 3 μg·kg(-1) (D1), 4 μg·kg(-1) (D2) and 5 μg·kg(-1) (D3) were given orally. Similar dental procedures were performed in these patients, and effects of these drugs were assessed in terms of changes in vital signs, onset and duration of sedation, analgesia, and amnesia. Secondary outcomes such as level of sedation, behavior, adverse effects, and overall success were also measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The onset of sedation was significantly rapid with K and D3 as compared to D1 and D2. Recovery from sedation was fastest in group D1. Intra- and postoperative analgesia and anterograde amnesia were highest with K and least with D1, while D3 produced analgesia comparable to K. In K treated group, vomiting was observed in five patients and two patients exhibited emergence phenomenon. Overall, highest success rate was observed in D3 group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given by oral route, the novel sedative dexmedetomidine provides dose-dependent effective analgo-sedation, comparable to ketamine, with less adverse effects.
authors: Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India.
authors: Charanjeet
authors: C
authors: Singh
authors: Ramesh K
authors: RK
authors: Pandey
authors: Anil K
authors: AK
authors: Saksena
authors: Girish
authors: G
authors: Chandra
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016292:Procedural Sedation; D020927:Dexmedetomidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007649:Ketamine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D020927:Dexmedetomidine; D007649:Ketamine
keywords: dexmedetomidine; ketamine; moderate sedation; pediatric dentistry