New therapeutic uses for an alpha₂ adrenergic receptor agonist - Dexmedetomidine in pain management

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• 作者：Xia Zhang ; Xiaofeng Bai
• 关键词：Dexmedetomidine ; Alpha2 adrenergic receptor agonist ; Alpha2 adrenergic receptor ; Analgesia ; Pain
• 刊名：Neuroscience Letters
• 出版年：21 February, 2014
• 年：2014
• 卷：561
• 期：Complete
• 页码：7-12
• 全文大小：874 K

文摘

Dexmedetomidine was initially approved for clinical use as a sedative. Its development in pain management has been limited. Dexmedetomidine has analgesic effects and analgesic-sparing properties, especially for patients with obstructed airways. Mixing dexmedetomidine with local anesthetics is a promising new avenue to enhance local anesthetics鈥?effectiveness. Peripheral, spinal and supraspinal 伪_2A-ARs are responsible for the analgesic function of dexmedetomidine. Animal studies have shown that antinociceptive synergism results from co-application of dexmedetomidine and opioids or local anesthetics. Dexmedetomidine has potential adverse effects such as hypotension and bradycardia. Therefore, dexmedetomidine is contraindicated for patients suffering from bradycardia or using 尾-adrenergic antagonists. Clinical trials of dexmedetomidine in chronic pain or hyperalgesia are lack.