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 an injection to numb the area 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.
Sedation is usually given in a vein in the arm (intravenously, or I.V.).
It is often used with local or regional anesthesia. The local type numbs a small part of the body. The regional type blocks pain to a larger area of the body.
While you are sedated, a doctor or nurse will watch you closely. They'll make sure you stay safe and comfortable. In some cases, an anesthesia professional may be there during the procedure to help keep you safe. This is often called monitored anesthesia care (MAC).
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
You'll get instructions to help you prepare for your child's sedation. They'll tell you when your child needs to stop eating, drinking, or breastfeeding before sedation. If your child takes medicine, you'll be told what they can or can't take. Follow all the instructions carefully.
Talk to your child in advance about the test, procedure, or surgery they're having. It can be helpful to explain where they will be and what they might see, hear, or feel.
Make sure your child will have plenty of quiet time at home to recover.
©2011-2025 Healthwise, Incorporated