The Effects of Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitors on the Sedative Effect of Clonidine
Anesth Analg 2001 93: 1217-1221.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
IMPLICATIONS: Clonidine, an antihypertensive drug, is also a sedative. This sedative effect, although an adverse event in the treatment of hypertensive patients, can be helpful for sedation of surgical patients. The mechanism of this effect, however, is unknown. In this study, we show that the sedative effect of clonidine is mediated by nitric oxide, because it could be prevented by pretreatment with nitric oxide synthase inhibitors.