Pre-anaesthetic Agents

CNS Pharmacology 3XX

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Pre-anesthetics

Benzodiazepines
Antihistamines
Opioid analgesics
Phenothiazines
Anticholinergics
GI Drugs 2
Preanesthetics

 Preanesthetic medications – drugs given generally

prior to anesthesia (may be given during or after,
as well) in order to:
– Decrease anxiety without producing excessive
drowsiness
– Facilitate a rapid, smooth induction without
prolonging emergence
– Provide amnesia for the perioperative period
– Relieve pre-and post-operative pain
– Minimize undesirable side effects of anesthetics

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 Preanesthetic Agents
Drug Generic Name Trade Desired Effect
Classification Name
Benzodiazepines Diazepam Valium Reduce anxiety, Sedation,
Amnesia, “Conscious sedation”
Antihistamines Hydroxyzine Vistaril Sedation
Opioid analgesics Morphine Sedation to decrease tension,
Meperidine Demerol anxiety, and provide analgesia
Fentanyl Sublimaze
Remifentanil Ultiva
Phenothiazines Promethazine Phenergan Sedation, antihistaminic,
antiemetic, decreased motor
activity
Anticholinergics Atropine Inhibit secretion, bradycardia,
Glycopyrollate Robinul and laryngospasms
GI Drugs Ondansetron Zofran Antiemetic
Cimetidine Tagamet Decrease gastric acidity
Metoclopramide Reglan Decrease stomach contents

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Anesthetic Antagonists

– Naloxone (Narcan)
– Flumazenil (Romazicon)