An α2-adrenergic receptor agonist (α2-AR); reduces neuronal excitation induced by noxious stimuli and depresses spontaneous neuronal firing in anesthetized cats; neuronal depression can be reversed by the selective α2-AR antagonist RX781094 but not the α1-AR antagonists prazosin and WB-4101; acts as a muscle relaxant that inhibits α- and γ-rigidity in rats, reflex muscle tone in rabbits, and the linguomadibular reflex in cats ,