Adding Dexmedetomidine or Clonidine to Spinal Anesthesia for Cesarean Delivery

Summary

This study will examine whether addition of dexmedetomidine or clonidine (two alpha-2 adrenergic agonists) will improve the comfort of patients during spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery. When added to standard spinal anesthesia consisting of bupivacaine (a local anesthetic) and fentanyl and morphine (two opioids), these medications may decrease some of the pulling/tugging/pressure sensations that patients sometimes feel during cesarean delivery, may prolong the anesthetic time, and may decrease postoperative pain.

Timeline

Start

2026-06

Primary completion

2028-05

Completion

2028-05

Publications

• Background New York Times, Podcast, The Retrievals, Season 2, episodes 1-4.
• Background Orbach-Zinger S, Azem K, Bar M, Heesen P, Kozuch D, Furman D, Cohen R, Kashkush A, Izyumsky D, Fein S, Frenkel A, Shavialiou A, Binyamin Y. Intra-operative sensation during caesarean delivery under neuraxial anaesthesia: A prospective cohort study mapping sensory experiences. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2026 Mar 1;43(3):217-225. doi: 10.1097/EJA.0000000000002317. Epub 2025 Nov 11.
• Background Takalo E, Karpala M, An X, Cobb B, Zhao S, Bari R, Hylton M, Grant S, Schoenherr J. Intrathecal dexmedetomidine for cesarean delivery and postoperative outcomes: a single-center retrospective cohort study (2019-2020). Int J Obstet Anesth. 2026 Feb;65:104819. doi: 10.1016/j.ijoa.2025.104819. Epub 2025 Nov 14.
• Background Fernandes HS, Bliacheriene F, Vago TM, Corregliano GT, Torres ML, Francisco RP, Ashmawi HA. Clonidine Effect on Pain After Cesarean Delivery: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Different Routes of Administration. Anesth Analg. 2018 Jul;127(1):165-170. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000003319.

Drugs

Indications

No indication recorded.