Alpha 2 adrenergic agonists currently are used in the anesthetic management of the surgical patient for their sedative/hypnotic, anesthetic-sparing, analgesic, and sympatholytic properties. Experimental and clinical studies have progressed to the point where anesthesiologists are now focusing on the use of these agents for their analgesic and anesthetic effects. This interest has coincided with the development and clinical introduction of dexmedetomidine. Clinical studies using existing alpha 2 agonists have revealed a tremendous potential for these agents that will be fully realized when more selective and specific compounds become available.