A comprehensive 6-month economic evaluation of sedative options for mechanically ventilated patients found that dexmedetomidine, clonidine, and propofol may demonstrate similar costs and quality-adjusted life-years, suggesting that economic considerations shouldn't influence clinical decision-making among these agents. The study involved 1,404 adult patients with critical illness receiving mechanical ventilation and concluded that IV sedation selection should be based on individual patient need rather than economic considerations. Dexmedetomidine has become available as a generic medication since 2019, reducing its cost relative to previous economic analyses.

Source: JAMA Network Open