Clonidine as an effective analgesic

Q: Beside an effective anti-hypertensive, Clonidine is also an effective analgesic (select one)

A) True
B) False


Answer:  A

Clonidine and Dexmedetomidine are Alpha-2 receptor agonists which have effective analagesic effect and can be used in surgical ICUs to reduce use of narcotics and their withdrawal. Actually they have synergistic analgesic effect when used with narcotics. There is a weak evidence that using oral clonidine 150 to 200 mcg preoperatively provides perioperative hemodynamic stability and reduces the requirement of postoperative narcotic analgesics.


References: 

1. Sung CS, Lin SH, Chan KH, et al. Effect of oral clonidine premedication on perioperative hemodynamic response and postoperative analgesic requirement for patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Acta Anaesthesiol Sin 2000; 38:23.

2. White PF. The changing role of non-opioid analgesic techniques in the management of postoperative pain. Anesth Analg 2005; 101:S5.

3. Gold MS, Redmond DE Jr, Kleber HD. Clonidine blocks acute opiate-withdrawal symptoms. Lancet 1978; 2:599. 

4. De Kock M, Crochet B, Morimont C, Scholtes JL. Intravenous or epidural clonidine for intra- and postoperative analgesia. Anesthesiology 1993; 79:525.