PROCEDURES AND SKILLS
TABLE 19.3. Drug Characteristics Used in Procedural Sedation
DRUG ONSETTIME DURATION ADVERSEEFFECTS NOTES
Versed 3 min IV 30 min IV Paradoxical hyperexcitability Hypotension
Children:0.1 mg/kg IV in children
Adults: 0.03–0.1 mg/kg IV Apnea Can reverse with
Hypotension flumazenil
Propofol 30–45 s IV 20–75 min IV Apnea
1 mg/kg IV Hypotension
Bronchospasm
Etomidate 30–60 s IV 3–5 min IV Myoclonus, adrenal suppression Can cause myoclonus
0.1–0.3 mg/kg IV with multiple doses or laryngospasm
Methohexital 1 min IV 15 min IV Apnea
1–2 mg/kg IV Hypotension
Ketamine 1 min IV 10–20 min IV Laryngospasm, emergence Give atropine or glyco-
Children: 1–2 mg/kg IV; 5 min IM 15–45 min IM reaction, increased ICP, pyrrolate to suppress
2–4 mg/kg IM hypersalivation hypersalivation,
benzodiazepines to
prevent emergence
reaction or cardiovascular
instability
Fentanyl 3 min IV 30 min IV Apnea Can reverse with
1–1.5 μg/kg IV naloxone, nalmefene
Atropine 30–60 s IV 2 hours Tachycardia Use in children <5 year-old
Children: 0.01 mg/kg 5 min IM Anticholinergic symptoms to counteract vagal effects
IM or IV Min 0.1 mg of ketamine
Max 0.5 mg
Glycopyrrolate 1 min IV 2–7 hours Tachycardia Use in children <5 year-old
0.004 mg/kg IV/IM 15–30 min IM Anticholinergic symptoms to counteract vagal effects
of ketamine
Flumazenil <30 s IV 30–60 min IV Unmasking of seizures
Children: 0.01 mg/kg IV
Adults: 0.2 mg IV
Naloxone 1–2 min IV 1–4 hours May precipitate withdrawal May require repeat
Children: 0.01 mg/kg IV 2–5 min IM reactions dosing due to short
Adults: 0.4–2 mg IV/IM duration