The medications used for sedation vary depending on a child’s age, weight, developmental level, health history, physical exam and the type of test being performed.
A sedation nurse practitioner, physician assistant or physician will evaluate the child prior to the test and discuss the sedation plan with the parents, including side effects, risks and options.
Medications Commonly Used for Sedation
Chloral hydrate
Chloral hydrate is a medication given by mouth to infants for non-painful procedures. Infants usually fall asleep within 20 minutes. However, it can take as little as five minutes or as much as 45 minutes before a child falls asleep. A smaller second dose usually will be given if a baby is not asleep within 30 minutes. Once asleep, the infant will usually stay asleep for about an hour. This medication has a bad taste and it is common for infants to spit and sputter when the medicine is given. The child might continue to be drowsy and irritable during the rest of the day.
Midazolam
Midazolam (brand name: Versed) is a medication used to help ease anxiety. This medication is a Benzodiazepine, it belongs to the same family as Valium, and it can be given orally or intravenously. Midazolam may be given by itself to help a child relax or in combination with other medications to help a child sleep through a test or procedure.
Given alone and by mouth, the medicine will take about 20 minutes to take effect and will only make a child relax. This medication alone is not effective for moderate or deep sedation.
Pentobarbital
Pentobarbital (brand name: nembutal) is a sedative medication generally given intravenously. Children usually fall asleep within a few minutes of receiving this medication. Small doses are given at first. Additional doses may be administered during a long procedure.
The effect of the medicine lasts about 30 minutes, but a child can be drowsy during the rest of the day.
Fentanyl
Fentanyl (Brand name: Sublimaze) is an opiod, a medicine in the same family as Morphine. It is used to supplement sedation and works almost immediately when given intravenously. This medication is usually given to help ease children to sleep during sedation with Pentobarbital.
Additional medications used
FAQs
Propofol (Diprivan)
Propofol is a hypnotic sedative agent used in both adults and children. Often an anesthesiologist is required to administer propofol and monitor its use because of the deep sedation it can induce.
What do they use to sedate you in hospital? ›
The medication we use is called Midazolam and is given as an injection via an intravenous catheter (IV); it is not intended to make you go to sleep like a general anaesthetic. Sedation can provide you with a more comfortable experience throughout your stay in endoscopy, especially if you are anxious.
What is the strongest sedative? ›
According to an article published by Everyday Health, the strongest prescription sedative is Rohypnol, which is around 10 times stronger than Valium.
What are the 5 levels of sedation? ›
Procedural Sedation - Levels of Sedation
- Minimal Sedation. A drug-induced state during which patients respond normally to verbal commands, and respiratory and cardiovascular function is unaffected. ...
- Moderate Sedation/ Conscious Sedation. ...
- Deep Sedation. ...
- General Anesthesia.
Benzodiazepines are a type of sedative medication. This means they slow down the body and brain's functions. They can be used to help with anxiety and insomnia (difficult getting to sleep or staying asleep).
What are 2 drugs used for conscious sedation? ›
As benzodiazepines offer both sedative and profound amnesic and anxiolytic effects, these drugs are used for conscious sedation worldwide. Diazepam has been the 'gold standard' of sedation, but the more modern benzodiazepines, particularly midazolam, are now more commonly used.
What drug puts you to sleep in hospital? ›
Propofol (Diprivan®) is the most commonly used IV general anesthetic. In lower doses, it induces sleep while allowing a patient to continue breathing on their own. It is often utilized by anesthesiologist for sedation in addition to anxiolytics and analgesics.
What do hospitals use to sedate violent patients? ›
Antipsychotic drugs and benzodiazepines are effective against aggressive psychom*otor agitation when given by either the parenteral or the oral route.
Which sedation puts you to sleep? ›
General sedation and deep anesthesia are what put you to sleep all the way because you cannot just be easily awakened with general anesthesia. Sedation is there as a useful tool that prevents anxiety from taking over your existence.
What sedative works instantly? ›
Midazolam is the fastest acting of its class because of its lipophilic abilities, and it is superior to lorazepam and diazepam in its amnestic effects, making it the ideal benzodiazepine for use in short ED procedures. Lorazepam is a water-soluble benzodiazepine. The dose range in adults is usually 1-4 mg.
Common sedatives include barbiturates, benzodiazepines, gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), opioids and sleep inducing drugs such as zolpidem (Ambien) and eszopiclone (Lunesta). Sedatives are central nervous system depressants and vary widely in their potency. They are usually in the form of a pill or liquid.
Which drug is used a fastest acting sedative? ›
Ketamine (KET-eh-meen) hydrochloride is a quick-acting anesthetic that is legally used in both humans (as a sedative for minor surgery) and animals (as a tranquilizer).
What drug is given before surgery to relax a patient? ›
Descriptions. Midazolam injection is used to produce sleepiness or drowsiness and relieve anxiety before surgery or certain procedures. When midazolam is used before surgery, the patient will not remember some of the details about the procedure.
What drugs are used for general sedation? ›
Propofol, etomidate, and ketamine are the intravenous (IV) sedative-hypnotic agents commonly used to induce general anesthesia (table 1), while adjuvant agents (eg, opioids, lidocaine, midazolam, and volatile anesthetics) are often used to supplement the effects of the primary sedative-hypnotic induction agent (table 2 ...
What is the deepest form of sedation? ›
General anesthesia is the strongest form of sedation. Under general anesthesia, you are fully unconscious throughout the procedure.
What do surgeons use to sedate you? ›
Intravenous Sedatives
Benzodiazepines are often used as a premedication for general anesthesia or anxiolysis in patients undergoing regional anesthesia. Midazolam (Versed) is the most commonly used preoperative sedative and can provide anxiolysis, sedation, and amnesia.
What drug is used in IV sedation? ›
Midazolam and propofol are commonly used for intravenous sedation. Although there have been many researches on the effects of midazolam and propofol on vital function and the recovery profile, little is known about muscle power.
