Sedates

Sedates is the present-tense form of the verb sedate, meaning to administer sedative drugs to calm, relax, or induce sleep. In medical and veterinary practice, sedation reduces anxiety, facilitates examination or procedures, and may lessen pain. The goal is to achieve a targeted level of consciousness, from anxiolysis to conscious sedation, while maintaining airway control and spontaneous breathing.

Agents used range from benzodiazepines (such as diazepam and midazolam) to non-benzodiazepine sedatives (such as dexmedetomidine) and other hypnotics. In dental and minor procedures, choices include nitrous oxide, oral sedatives, or IV/IM sedatives; in some cases, deeper sedation or anesthesia is achieved with agents like propofol, typically under strict monitoring. It is essential to distinguish sedation from general anesthesia: sedation aims for a relaxed, comfortable patient, not an unresponsive one.

Administration requires trained personnel and appropriate monitoring, including vital signs and oxygenation, and sometimes end-tidal CO2. Dosing depends on age, weight, medical history, and concurrent medications. Risks include oversedation, respiratory depression, hypotension, delirium, and drug interactions with alcohol or other depressants.

In veterinary medicine, sedation serves to reduce stress during handling or procedures, with drug choices tailored to species, temperament, and procedure. Ethical standards and regulatory guidelines emphasize informed consent, safety, and monitoring.