Orion Pharma dexmedetomidine trial results published

Orion Pharma has had its European MIDEX and PRODEX studies of dexmedetomidine published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, indicating that it could provide an alternative to current sedation methods in use across hospitals globally.

The results of the randomised trials found that dexmedetomidine is no worse than the two standard sedatives – midazolam and propofol – at maintaining light to moderate sedation among patients.

Furthermore, it was successful in reducing the amount of medical ventilation required in comparison to midazolam, while patients found themselves able to cooperate with doctors and communicate any pain issues more easily than when using the other two drugs.

Professor Jukka Takala, senior author of the paper and senior scientific advisor to the two trials, said: "Sedation is a major problem in long-stay intensive care patients. The current two trials provide convincing evidence that dexmedetomidine offers an alternative for sedation of patients needing prolonged mechanical ventilation."

Orion is based in Europe but supplies human and veterinary pharmaceuticals on a global basis.