Medical Pharmacology Chapter 12:  Anxiolytics and Sedative-Hypnotics

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Preoperative Medication: Sedative Hypnotics and Other Agents and Issues

Summary: Preoperative indications for anticholinergic drugs

  • Use anticholinergics for secretion drying in preparation for awake intubation

  • Use anticholinergic drugs if the operative procedure requires upper airway topical anesthesia or for bronchoscopies

  • For children: oral or intravenous atropine/glycopyrrolate (Robinul) to reduce/prevent reflex bradycardia secondary to:

    • Laryngospasm

    • Laryngeal stimulation

    • Hypoxia

  • For infants: oral atropine to assist in maintaining hemodynamic stability during halothane (Fluothane) induction

  • For critically ill, adult patients who cannot tolerate an anesthetic, IV scopolamine at 0.4 mg may be helpful (examples: patients with ischemic/gangerous bowel or aortic aneurysm rupture)

 
 
 
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