α₂-Adrenergic agonists as analgesic agents

Abstract

α₂-Adrenergic agonists are responsible for a variety of physiological responses including analgesia. A total of 16 new chemical series that provide analgesia through an α₂-adrenergic mechanism have been patented since 1997. There were also nine patents issued for known α₂-adrenergic agonists, which have found new application as effective analgesic agents with a diminished side effect profile, such as use in combination with other analgesic agents or through specific routes of administration.

• α2-agonists
• α2-receptor
• adrenergic receptor
• adrenoceptor
• analgesia