Alpha-2 blocker
# Alpha-2 blocker

Alpha-2 blockers (or $α_2$ blockers) are a subset of the alpha blocker class of drugs and are antagonists to the $α_2$ adrenergic receptor. They are mainly used in research, having found limited clinical application in human medicine. 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 $α_2s$ such as medetomidine that are used as sedatives during surgery.

The tetracyclic antidepressants mianserin and mirtazapine are $α_2$ blockers, although their efficacy as antidepressants may come from their activity at other receptor sites.

Mechanistically, $α_2$ blockers increase adrenergic, dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmitters and induce insulin secretion, decreasing blood sugar levels.

Withdrawal from $α_2$ 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. Moreover, reduced microcirculation together with adrenaline supersensitivity in organs such as liver can occur.

## Examples

Examples include atipamezole, efaroxan, idazoxan, yohimbine, and rauwolscine, phentolamine.

