Used as procedural sedation, these methods are used to sedate a patient in order to undertake procedure that would otherwise not be tolerated on account of pain or other discompliance.
Agents
Agents with a rapid on- and offset are preferable as they provide sedation adequate for the conduction of the procedure without a significant lasting effect.
Anxiolytics
Midazolam is the classical medication. Theoretically, other benzodiazepines could be used but their characteristics are not as suitable. It provides anxiolysis and sedation, and often induces amnesia as well.
Midazolam dosing: 0.5-2.5mg, doses in excess of 5mg are not usually required.
Opiates
Ketamine
Fentanyl
Others
Propofol
Etomidate
Nitrous oxide
Dexmedetomidine
Further reading:
- Benzoni T, Agarwal A, Cascella M. Procedural Sedation. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 [cited 2025 Jun 27]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551685/