[Use of clonidine for perioperative therapy]

Clonidine is a selective alpha 2 adrenergic receptors agonist with a wide spectrum of activity. Except well known hypotensive effect, clonidine stabilizes circulatory system and has sedative, anxiolytic, analgesic, diuretic etc. activities. Clonidine has some appliance during perioperative period. When used in premedication it has a lot of advantages: causes sedation, has anxiolytic properties, reduces secretion of saliva, stabilizes circulatory system, diminishes stress reaction, augments action of anaesthetic and analgesic drugs. When used during the operation, regulates circulatory system, prolongs and amplifies central and peripheral blocks. Clonidine diminishes patients requirement for opioids and local anaesthetics during postoperative and long-term pain therapy.