Sedation for Adults

Pre-Sedation

Instructions before Sedations

If you suffer from any medical conditions or take any acute or chronic medicine, you will need to inform the doctor before the procedure/operation.

Medical advice:

  • Asthma suffers are requested to bring their inhalers to the appointment.
  • Insulin-dependent diabetics must bring their blood glucose monitoring devices.
  • Smoking and alcohol intake should be avoided for 24 hours prior to your appointment.
  • Use of recreational drugs is not permitted for 48 hours prior to treatment.
  • If you feel sick or unwell, please call the doctor/sedationist so that he can decide whether it is necessary to postpone the treatment.
  • If you wear contact lenses, you may be asked to remove your lenses.
  1. Please wear comfortable clothes with loose-fitting sleeves.
  2. Avoid heavy make up, nail varnish and jewellery
  3. Wear flat shoes as you may be slightly unsteady afterwards.
  4. Do not eat anything for at least 6 hours before the procedure/operation.
    • Clear fluids may be taken up to 4 hours before.
  5. If you take chronic medication, please do so on the day of the procedure/operation, after discussing this with your sedationist.
  6. Please arrive in good time for your appointment, at least 15 minutes beforehand.
  7. Please empty your bladder before the procedure/operation.
  8. Please arrange for an responsible adult to take you home after the procedure.
  9. It will be nessasary to put a drip/cannula in a vein in your hand or arm.

Post–Sedation

Instructions after Sedations

A responsible adult must take you home after the sedation, and you must remain in the company of a responsible adult for the remainder of the day.

  • Sedation will not be given if you arrive without an escort.
  1. Take your regular medication as usual.
  2. You should not experience nausea or vomiting after sedation. If you do vomit, and this happens more than once, please contact your doctor/sedationist.
  3. Introduce any fluids or foods slowly after sedation.
    • If you tolerate clear fluids, you may then progress onto solids.
    • Do not eat or drink if you are nauseous.
    • Please do NOT take alcohol for the remainder of the day.
    • Avoid breastfeeding for 24 hours afterwards.
  4. If you have not passed urine within 6-8 hours of being discharged, please contact the doctor/sedationist at the telephone numbers provided.
  5. The sedation may result in amnesia (loss of memory). This is temporary, sometimes lasting for a few hours. Other effects are: Drowsiness, lack of awareness, decrease in coordination.
  6. It can take up 24 hours for the sedative drugs to be eliminated from your body and for you to fully recover from the effects of sedation
Therefore, however well you may feel, please DO NOT:
  • Drive a vehicle, swim or cycle,
  • Use electrical equipment, cook, or operate machinery,
  • Care for children or dependent adults,
  • Make important decisions, sign important documents or perform complicated tasks,
  • Use alcohol, sleeping tablets, tobacco or recreational drugs.
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