title: New therapeutic uses for an alpha2 adrenergic receptor agonist--dexmedetomidine in pain management.
abstract: 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' effectiveness. Peripheral, spinal and supraspinal α(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 β-adrenergic antagonists. Clinical trials of dexmedetomidine in chronic pain or hyperalgesia are lack.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, 117# North Nanjing Street, Shenyang 110002, PR China. Electronic address: zhangxiamd@126.com.
authors.forename: Xia
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School & Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, 117# North Nanjing Street, Shenyang 110002, PR China. Electronic address: xiaofengbai@sina.cn.
authors.forename: Xiaofeng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Bai
mesh_terms: D058647:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D020927:Dexmedetomidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D057234:Preoperative Period
chemical_list: D058647:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D020927:Dexmedetomidine
keywords: Alpha(2) adrenergic receptor; Alpha(2) adrenergic receptor agonist; Analgesia; Dexmedetomidine; Pain