Alpha-2 blockers (or α2 blockers) are a subset of the alpha blocker class of drugs and are antagonists to the α2 adrenergic receptor. They are mainly used in research, having found limited clinical application in human medicine. They are extensively used in veterinary medicine to reverse the effects of alpha-2 agonist drugs used as sedatives, like xylazine, medetomidine and dexmedetomidine. Alpha-2 blockers increase noradrenaline release.
Uses
Yohimbine, historically used as an aphrodisiac, is sometimes used in veterinary medicine (although now largely replaced by atipamezole) for reversing the effects of α2s such as medetomidine that are used as sedatives during surgery.[1]
The tetracyclic antidepressants mianserin and mirtazapine are α2 blockers, although their efficacy as antidepressants may come from their activity at other receptor sites.[citation needed]
Mechanistically, α2 blockers increase adrenergic, dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmitters and induce insulin secretion, decreasing blood sugar levels.[citation needed]
Withdrawal from α2 blockers can be difficult or dangerous as the global downregulation of neurotransmitters may cause symptoms of depression and other neurological problems, and increased blood sugar levels together with decreased insulin sensitivity can cause diabetes.[citation needed] Moreover, reduced microcirculation together with adrenaline supersensitivity in organs such as liver can occur.[citation needed]
Examples
Examples include atipamezole,[2] efaroxan, idazoxan,[3] yohimbine, and rauwolscine, phentolamine.
References
External links
Wikiwand in your browser!
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.
