Procedural Sedation
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.
AMBULATORY CARE:
What you need to know about procedural sedation:
Procedural sedation is a combination of medicines to help make your procedure more comfortable. Sedation helps keep you calm and helps manage pain. You will remember little to none of the procedure. After sedation, you may feel tired, weak, or unsteady on your feet. You may also have trouble concentrating or short-term memory loss. These symptoms should go away within 24 hours.
How to prepare for procedural sedation:
- Your healthcare provider will tell you how to prepare for procedural sedation. You may be told not to eat or drink anything for 8 hours before you get the sedation. You may be able to drink clear liquids up until 2 hours before.
- Tell your provider if you have any heart or breathing problems.
- Tell your provider if you have any allergies or had an allergic reaction to sedation.
- Arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you for 24 hours. You may feel sleepy and need help doing things at home. Another person may need to call for emergency help if you cannot be woken.
What will happen during procedural sedation:
- Your healthcare provider will give you enough medicine to keep you relaxed and calm.
- You will be on a heart monitor and a pulse oximeter. A heart monitor is a safety device that stays on continuously to record your heart's electrical activity. A pulse oximeter is a device that measures the amount of oxygen in your blood.
- You may get oxygen through a mask placed over your nose and mouth or through small tubes placed in your nostrils.
What to expect after procedural sedation:
- Healthcare providers will monitor you until you are awake.
- You may need extra oxygen if your blood oxygen level is lower than it should be.
- You may feel tired or weak after you get procedural sedation. You may also have a headache or nausea. The effects are usually gone within 24 hours.
Risks of procedural sedation:
- You may not get enough sedation, or it may wear off quickly. You may feel restless during the procedure or as you wake up.
- Too much medicine can cause deep sedation. Your healthcare provider may have trouble waking you, and you may need medicine to help you wake up. Your breathing may not be regular, or it may stop. You may need a ventilator to help you breathe. Your risk for problems with sedation is higher if you have heart or lung disease, a head injury, or drink alcohol.
Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) or have someone call if:
- You have sudden trouble breathing.
- You cannot be woken.
Seek care immediately if:
- You have a severe headache or dizziness.
- Your heart is beating faster than usual.
Call your doctor if:
- You have a fever or chills.
- Your skin is itchy, swollen, or you have a rash.
- You still have nausea or are vomiting more than 8 hours after the procedure.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Self-care:
Do the following for the first 24 hours or for as long as directed by your healthcare provider:
- Have someone stay with you. This person can drive you to errands and help you do things around the house. This person can also watch for problems.
- Rest and do quiet activities. Do not exercise, ride a bike, or play sports. Stand up slowly to prevent dizziness and falls. Take short walks around the house with another person. Slowly return to your usual activities.
- Do not drive or use dangerous machines or tools. You may injure yourself or others. Examples include a lawnmower, saw, or drill. Ask when to return to work if you use dangerous machines or tools for work.
- Do not make important decisions. For example, do not sign important papers or invest money.
- Drink more liquids than usual. Liquids help flush the sedation medicine out of your body. Ask how much liquid to drink each day and which liquids are best for you.
- Eat small meals often to prevent nausea and vomiting. Start with clear liquids such as juice or broth. If you do not vomit after clear liquids, you can eat your usual foods.
- Do not drink alcohol or take medicines that make you drowsy. This includes medicines that help you sleep and anxiety medicines. Ask your healthcare provider if it is safe for you to take pain medicine.
Follow up with your doctor as directed:
Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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