Dexmedetomidine is an alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist that has sympatholytic, sedative, and and analgesic effects. It has been used in postoperative sedation and analgesia, and it appears to have opioid-sparing effects in analgesia. Dexmedetomidine in combination with morphine, delivered intrathecally, was examined for its effects on refractory pain in patients with advanced cancer.