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The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice1999; 29(3); 737-745; doi: 10.1016/s0195-5616(99)50058-2

Alpha 2 agonists and antagonists.

Abstract: The alpha 2 agonists can produce reliable dose-dependent sedation and analgesia in most species. Nevertheless, they can also produce significant physiological adverse side effects depending on dose, rate, route of administration, and the concurrent use of other CNS depressants. For this reason, it may be best to use a low dose of an alpha 2 agonist as a preanesthetic agent. The alpha 2 agonists are best suited for young, healthy, exercise-tolerant patients. The combining of low doses of alpha 2, opioid, and benzodiazepine agonists results in a synergistic CNS depressant response while minimizing the undesirable side effects of these three classes of drugs. Each group of drugs has specific antagonists available for their reversal, thus allowing veterinarians to reverse one or more of the agonists depending on the desired response. This may represent a significant advantage to the use of low-dose alpha 2 agonists in combination with opioids and benzodiazepines.
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Publication Date: 1999-05-20 PubMed ID: 10332820DOI: 10.1016/s0195-5616(99)50058-2Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article investigates the impact of alpha 2 agonists in producing sedation and analgesia, their possible side effects, and their recommended dosage and administration. It further explores their combined use with other drugs, like opioids and benzodiazepines, and available antagonists for their reversal.

Understanding Alpha 2 Agonists

  • Alpha 2 agonists are a class of drugs known for their potential to produce reliable, dose-dependent sedation and analgesia in many species.
  • However, the study points out that these drugs can also lead to significant physiological side effects, in connection with factors like dosage, rate, route of administration, and the simultaneous use of other central nervous system (CNS) depressants.

Application and Target Audience

  • Considering the potential adverse effects, the study suggests that it may be optimal to utilize a lower dosage of an alpha 2 agonist as a preanesthetic agent.
  • Moreover, alpha 2 agonists are said to be best suited for young, healthy, and exercise-tolerant patients due to their impact on the CNS.

Combination with Other Drugs

  • The research discusses how the combination of low doses of alpha 2, opioid, and benzodiazepine agonists results in a synergistic CNS depressant response.
  • This combination is said to minimize the undesirable side effects generally associated with each of these three classes of drugs when used independently.

Availability of Antagonists

  • The study presents the availability of specific antagonists that can reverse the effects of each group of drugs (alpha 2, opioids, and benzodiazepines).
  • The ability to reverse one or more of the agonists depending on the desired response offers veterinarians a significant advantage, particularly when using low-dose alpha 2 agonists in conjunction with opioids and benzodiazepines.

Cite This Article

APA
Paddleford RR, Harvey RC. (1999). Alpha 2 agonists and antagonists. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract, 29(3), 737-745. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0195-5616(99)50058-2

Publication

The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice
ISSN: 0195-5616
NlmUniqueID: 7809942
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 29
Issue: 3
Pages: 737-745

Researcher Affiliations

Paddleford, R R
  • Department of Small Animal Clinical Science, University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine, Knoxville, USA. paddleford.robert@hospital.vet.utk.edu
Harvey, R C

    MeSH Terms

    • Adrenergic alpha-Agonists
    • Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists
    • Anesthesia / veterinary
    • Anesthetics, Combined
    • Animals
    • Cats
    • Dogs
    • Horses
    • Imidazoles
    • Medetomidine
    • Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2 / physiology
    • Xylazine

    Citations

    This article has been cited 21 times.
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