Premedication

What is Premedication?

Premedication refers to the administration of medications prior to an invasive medical procedure or a surgery with the aim of reducing post-operative pain, discomfort and stress, and optimizing safety.

Types of Premedications

Types of premedications used before surgery vary and are based upon the type of patient and the surgical procedure. Common preparations are:

• Sedative alternatives, such as anti-anxiety agents: benzodiazepines (used for their muscle relaxant, anxiolytic, and anticonvulsant effects)
• Pain medications, such as opioids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), for their analgesic action
• Neuromuscular blocking agents, used to relax a patient’s muscles during surgery
• Antibiotics to reduce risk of infection

Benefits of Premedication

Premedication provides several advantages for both the patient and the medical team. By pre-administering medications prior to the surgery, a more comfortable environment can be created, reducing stress and anxiety. The medications can also have other beneficial effects, such as:

• Analgesic effects that reduce pain, inflammation, and spasms
• Anticholinergic effects that reduce secretions, such as saliva or gastric juices, and reduce the risk of aspiration post-surgery
• Parasympatholytic effects to decrease respiratory secretions
• Vasodilator effects to reduce blood pressure
• Sedation effects that reduce anxiety and promote relaxation

Risks of Premedication

Although premedication provides many benefits, there are some potential risks associated with it. Many of the medications used during premedication can slow down the body and make the patient drowsy, and thus increase the risk of falls and other injuries. Additionally, certain premedication medications can interact with other medications the patient is taking, causing serious side effects. Patients with pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes or heart problems may not be able to take certain types of premedication medications.