Premedication
A drug or combination of drugs administered prior to the primary anesthetic or sedative agent to reduce anxiety, modify secretions, prevent adverse reflexes, or enhance the anesthetic effect.
Full Definition
In dental anesthesiology, premedication commonly includes oral anxiolytics or sedatives given one to two hours before the appointment, anticholinergic agents to reduce salivation, or antiemetics to minimize postoperative nausea and vomiting. The goals of premedication are to facilitate a smoother induction, reduce the total dose of primary anesthetic required, and improve patient comfort and cooperation. Documentation of premedication in the anesthesia record must specify the agent, dose, time of administration, and the route. Editors should note that the term is one word ('premedication'), not hyphenated ('pre-medication'), per standard medical style, although hyphenated forms appear in some older texts. Premedication is distinct from rescue medication, which is administered in response to a complication.
Usage
Usage note: One word, no hyphen, per prevailing medical style. Confirm house style before copyediting.
In Context
- "The anesthesia record noted that premedication with oral triazolam 0.25 mg was administered 60 minutes before induction." — Anesthesia time record
- "As a style note, 'premedication' is preferred over 'pre-medication' in current ADA and ASA publications." — Style guide for dental anesthesia publications