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Premedication

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Aims of premedication are as follows:

  • reduce anxiety - variable, depending on the needs of the patient - use anxiolytics
  • reduce the parasympathetic excretion which is normally enhanced by general anaesthetics, e.g. salivary, lacrimal - use anticholinergics, e.g. hyoscine
  • reduce autonomic nervous system reflexes, which is particularly useful in eye and gonadal surgery
  • amnesia and active sedation - e.g. anxiolytics which produce orthograde amnesia such as lorazepam, temazepam
  • adjuvants to anaesthesia, depending on circumstances:
    • antacids, particularly H2-receptor antagonists
    • antibiotics
    • antiemesis
    • analgesia
    • bronchodilators
    • steroids, e.g. adrenal insufficiency
    • local anaesthetic, e.g. EMLA for siting IV lines in children

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