Which of the following is primarily a side effect of Central α2-agonists?

Central α2-agonists primarily work by stimulating alpha-2 adrenergic receptors in the central nervous system, which leads to a decrease in sympathetic outflow and subsequently lowers blood pressure. One of the well-documented side effects of these medications is dry mouth, or xerostomia. This occurs due to reduced salivary production, as the activation of central α2 receptors can inhibit the parasympathetic stimulation responsible for salivation. Patients often report this side effect, which can be uncomfortable and may affect their overall adherence to the medication regimen.

In contrast, edema, hypoglycemia, and vision changes are not typically associated with central α2-agonists. Edema is more commonly linked to other classes of antihypertensives such as calcium channel blockers or certain diuretics. Hypoglycemia can be associated with medications that impact insulin regulation or glucose metabolism, but is not a primary concern with central α2-agonists. Vision changes are generally not reported as a significant side effect of this class of drugs either, which further affirms why dry mouth is recognized as the primary side effect associated with central α2-agonists.