Pharmacotherapeutic group: Sedative and analgesic.
ATCvet code: QN05CM91
Pharmacodynamic properties
Medetomidine is a potent and highly selective α2-adrenoreceptor agonist with both central and peripheral activity, and acting both presynaptically and postsynaptically. Its primary effects are sedative and analgesic resulting from its central depressant activity. It has no local anaesthetic properties. Like other compounds of its class there are secondary effects, including bradycardia. Blood pressure is increased but then returns to normal or just below. Body temperature is decreased in a dose dependent manner and intestinal motility is also reduced.