Sedation is the use of medicine to help you feel relaxed and comfortable during a procedure. Sometimes it's used to help with pain.
Sedation may be used with numbing medicines or with other medicine to reduce pain. It's often used in procedures like a colonoscopy or a biopsy. It also can be used in many surgeries. Examples include knee surgery and hernia repair.
You may be awake and able to talk with your care team. Or you may fall asleep. You might remember little, if anything, of the procedure or surgery.
How it's done
Sedation is usually given in a vein in the arm (intravenous, I.V.).
It is often used with local or regional anesthesia. A local medicine numbs a small part of the body. A regional medicine blocks pain to a larger area of the body.
While you are sedated, the care team will watch you closely. They'll make sure you stay safe and comfortable. In some cases, an anesthesia provider may be there during the procedure to help keep you safe. This is often called monitored anesthesia care (MAC).
How to prepare
Your doctor will tell you what to expect when you have sedation. You'll get instructions to help you prepare. They'll include when to stop eating or drinking. If you take medicine, you'll be told what you can and can't take before sedation. You'll need to bring someone who can take you home.
What to tell the doctor
Tell the provider about any health problems you have, such as sleep apnea. Talk about any past surgeries and if a family member had problems with anesthesia. Let them know if you're pregnant. Also tell them if you smoke, vape, or use other tobacco or nicotine products, drink alcohol, or use drugs. Give them a list of all medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies you take.
Risks
Serious problems are rare. They include breathing that slows or stops and an allergic reaction to the medicine.
Some things may increase the risk of problems. These include:
- Being an older adult.
- Taking certain medicines for health problems.
- Sleep apnea. This happens during sleep when a blocked airway causes breathing problems.
- Being overweight.
- Smoking, vaping, using other tobacco or nicotine products, or using marijuana or other drugs.