Which statements about alpha-2 agonists are true?

Which statements about alpha-2 agonists are true?

• A. They work quickly and can be administered IM
• B. They have no analgesic effects
• C. They are not reversible with atipamezole
• D. They are not anxiolytic

Answer: (A)

Alpha-2 agonists produce sedation, analgesia, and anxiolysis, and their effects can be reversed with a specific antagonist. They’re commonly given intramuscularly, and this route provides a relatively rapid onset in many species, which is why the statement about working quickly and being usable via IM is the best fit. In contrast, these drugs do provide analgesia, so saying they have no analgesic effects is incorrect; they are reversible with atipamezole, so claiming they are not reversible is wrong; and they do produce anxiolysis, so stating they are not anxiolytic is also incorrect.

Alpha-2 agonists produce sedation, analgesia, and anxiolysis, and their effects can be reversed with a specific antagonist. They’re commonly given intramuscularly, and this route provides a relatively rapid onset in many species, which is why the statement about working quickly and being usable via IM is the best fit. In contrast, these drugs do provide analgesia, so saying they have no analgesic effects is incorrect; they are reversible with atipamezole, so claiming they are not reversible is wrong; and they do produce anxiolysis, so stating they are not anxiolytic is also incorrect.