Spinal Sympathetic Neurons: Possible Sites of Opiate-Withdrawal Suppression by Clonidine

Abstract
Morphine, methadone, meperidine, fentanyl, and clonidine rapidly depressed transmission through sympathetic preganglionic neurons in cats with the spinal cord transected. Naloxone promptly antagonized this effect of the opiates but not that of clonidine which was reversed by α2-adrenergic receptor antagonists. The independent depression of preganglionic neurons by clonidine may contribute to the ability of this drug to depress the symptoms of opiate withdrawal that are characterized by sympathetic hyperactivity.