Pharmacology Notes

Preanesthetic medications are used prior to the administration of an anesthetic to facilitate induction of anesthesia and to relieve anxiety and pain. They may also be used to minimize some of the undesirable effects of anesthetics, such as excessive salivation, bradycardia, and vomiting.

To accomplish these objectives, several drugs are often used at the same time. Th e following medications are commonly used as preoperative drugs:

• Sedative-hypnotics such as hydroxyzine, promethazine

• Antianxiety agents such as diazepam, droperidol

• Opioid analgesics such as morphine, meperidine, fentanyl

• Anticholinergics such as atropine, scopolamine