Clonidine 0.5 μg/kg intravenous as prevention of shivering after spinal anesthesia in cesarean section

Abstract

Shivering is a common complication after spinal anesthesia. Shivering can increase oxygen consumption, increase the risk of hypoxemia, and increase complications after surgery. Shivering can be prevented with pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapy. One of the pharmacological therapies that can be used is clonidine. Clonidine is an α2 agonist that works in changing thermoregulation control and decrease the threshold of vasoconstriction and shivering during hypothermia. Clonidine 0.5 μg/kg intravenous was given before spinal anesthesia in ten cases of cesarean section. Clonidine can be used as the prevention of shivering of spinal anesthesia in 60% of cases with a low incidence of nausea and vomiting.