Researchers gathered data from previous studies encompassing 1,792 patients, 933 of whom received the alpha-2 agonists clonidine or dexmedetomidine. Data showed that patients receiving clonidine consumed 25 percent less morphine one day after surgery, while those receiving dexmedetomidine consumed 30 percent less morphine. Both alpha-2 agonists lost their pain-relieving effects after 48 hours.
Lead study author Grégoire Blaudszun, MD, said that further research on alpha-2 agonists is needed before they can be recommended for regular use by anesthesiologists.
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