PATIENT INFORMATION
Sedation
Medication to help you feel relaxed, comfortable and less aware during a procedure.
Sedation may be used for certain procedures on its own, or together with local anaesthesia or regional anaesthesia. Your anaesthesiologist will discuss the most appropriate option for your procedure and individual needs.
Relaxed and comfortable
Sedation helps reduce anxiety and discomfort during suitable procedures.
Carefully monitored
Your breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate and blood pressure are monitored.
Adjusted to your needs
The level of sedation depends on the procedure, your health and your anaesthetic plan.
Will I be awake?
You may feel drowsy and relaxed, and may remember little or nothing afterwards.
Can the level vary?
Yes. Sedation can range from light relaxation to deeper drowsiness.
Is it used alone?
It may be used alone or combined with local or regional anaesthesia.
Can I go home?
Many sedation procedures are day procedures, but you will need someone to take you home.
WATCH
Conscious sedation explained
This video explains how sedation can help you feel calm and comfortable during certain procedures.
Your anaesthesiologist will explain whether sedation is suitable for you and what level of sedation is recommended for your procedure.
OVERVIEW
What is sedation?
Sedation involves giving medication to help you feel calm, relaxed and less aware of what is happening during a procedure. It is sometimes referred to as “twilight sedation” or “conscious sedation”, depending on the level of drowsiness intended.
Sedation is not the same as general anaesthesia. With general anaesthesia, you are fully unconscious. With sedation, the aim is usually to keep you comfortable and relaxed while avoiding a full general anaesthetic, although deeper sedation may feel very similar from the patient’s perspective.
How sedation may be given
- Medication is usually given through a drip into a vein.
- The dose can be adjusted according to your needs and the procedure.
- Local or regional anaesthesia may also be used to numb the procedure area.
- Your anaesthesiologist monitors you throughout and manages your comfort and safety.
BENEFITS
Why might sedation be recommended?
Less anxiety
Sedation can help you feel calmer and less worried before and during a procedure.
Improved comfort
It can make procedures more comfortable, especially when combined with local or regional anaesthesia.
Smoother experience
Many patients remember little or nothing about the procedure afterwards, depending on the medication used.
LEVELS OF SEDATION
Sedation can be adjusted
Lighter sedation
With lighter sedation, you may feel relaxed, sleepy and less anxious. You may still be aware of your surroundings and able to respond when spoken to.
Deeper sedation
With deeper sedation, you are likely to be much sleepier and may remember little or nothing afterwards. Your anaesthesiologist will monitor you closely and support your breathing if needed.
Sedation is still an anaesthetic
Although sedation may feel less intense than a general anaesthetic, it still requires careful planning, monitoring and recovery. You may be drowsy afterwards and your judgement, coordination and memory can be affected for a period of time.
For your safety, you should follow the discharge instructions given by the hospital or procedure facility.
PREPARING
Before your sedation
What your anaesthesiologist needs to know
- Previous anaesthetics, sedation or surgery
- Allergies or reactions to medication
- Medical conditions such as heart, lung or breathing problems
- All regular medication, including over-the-counter and herbal products
- Blood-thinning medication
- Diabetes medication
- Recent illness, cough, cold, fever or infection
- Pregnancy or the possibility of pregnancy
Eating and drinking
You will receive specific fasting instructions from the surgeon or anaesthesiology team. It is important to follow these carefully.
Most regular medication may be continued, but some medication needs special consideration before an anaesthetic. This includes blood-thinning medication, anticoagulants, diabetic medication and GLP-1 medication like Ozempic.
Food or liquid remaining in the stomach can cause serious complications during anaesthesia or sedation. If you are unsure whether you may eat, drink or take medication, contact your surgeon or anaesthesiology team before doing so.
ON THE DAY
What happens during sedation?
Assessment
Your anaesthesiologist reviews your medical history, medication and procedure plan.
Monitoring
Monitoring is applied to check your oxygen level, breathing, heart rate and blood pressure.
Medication
Sedation medication is usually given through a drip and adjusted as needed.
Procedure
The team monitors you throughout and manages comfort, pain relief and safety.
Recovery
You are cared for while the sedation wears off and until it is safe for discharge.
MORE DETAIL
Common questions and important information
Will I remember the procedure?
Many people remember very little after sedation, but this varies. With lighter sedation, you may remember parts of the procedure. With deeper sedation, you may remember little or nothing afterwards.
Will I feel pain?
Sedation helps you feel calm and less aware, but it does not always numb pain on its own. Local anaesthesia, regional anaesthesia or other pain relief may be used as part of your anaesthetic plan.
Common temporary effects
- Drowsiness or tiredness
- Dizziness or unsteadiness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Temporary confusion or poor memory
- Slower reaction time and impaired judgement
Less common risks
- Unexpectedly deep sedation
- Breathing difficulties
- Drop in oxygen levels
- Drop in blood pressure
- Reaction to medication
- Need for additional airway or breathing support
Your anaesthesiologist monitors you carefully so that any changes can be recognised and managed promptly.
Can children have sedation?
Children may have sedation for some procedures, but the plan depends on the child’s age, health, procedure and level of cooperation. Some children may need general anaesthesia instead.
If your child is having sedation or anaesthesia, tell the anaesthesiologist about recent illnesses (especially febrile or respiratory illnesses within the last two weeks), allergies, previous anaesthetics and any medication your child takes.
What if sedation is not suitable for me?
Sedation is not appropriate for every patient or every procedure. If sedation is not the safest or most suitable option, your anaesthesiologist will discuss alternatives such as local anaesthesia, regional anaesthesia or general anaesthesia.
Going home after sedation
If you are going home on the same day, you will usually need a responsible adult to take you home and stay with you for the recommended period.
- Do not drive until you have been told it is safe to do so (wait at least 24 hours).
- Do not drink alcohol after sedation.
- Do not operate machinery or use dangerous equipment.
- Do not sign important documents or make major decisions while still affected by sedation.
- Follow the discharge instructions provided by the hospital or procedure facility.
If you feel unusually unwell after discharge, contact the hospital, surgeon or anaesthesiology practice.
NEED HELP?
Still have questions?
Your anaesthesiologist will discuss the most appropriate anaesthetic and sedation options for your procedure.
