Additives used to reduce perioperative opioid consumption 1: Alpha2-agonists

Because of their significant side effects, especially in obese patients, the routine perioperative use of opioids has been questioned recently. Alpha 2 -agonists are drugs with a considerable analgesic potency with the potential to reduce opioid consumption. Alpha 2 -agonists bind to alpha 2 -adrenergic receptors in the CNS and peripherally. They inhibit the central sympathetic outflow, resulting in an attenuation of blood pressure and heart rate as well as in a sparing effect on anaesthetics and analgesics. In the postoperative period alpha 2 -agonist provide an analgesic effect without respiratory depression and other known opioid side effects. Intraoperatively a complete replacement of the synthetic opioid fentanyl by the alpha 2 -agonist dexmedetomidine has been demonstrated. Although alpha 2 -agonists have a sedative action recovery times are not prolonged compared to opioids. Cardiovascular side effects such as bradycardia and hypotension have to be observed and treated.