Conscious sedation: Pharmacology.
Applied pharmacology
Sevoflurane

ADVANCED

Sevoflurane is an inhalational anaesthetic agent that is commonly used in advanced conscious sedation for medical and dental procedures.

It belongs to a class of drugs known as volatile anaesthetics and is administered via inhalation using a mask or endotracheal tube.

It has a rapid onset of action and a short duration of effect, making it an effective agent for short, painful procedures.

Sevoflurane has several advantages over other sedative agents, particularly in patients with underlying respiratory or cardiovascular disease, as it does not cause significant respiratory depression or hypotension. It can also be titrated easily to achieve the desired level of sedation or anaesthesia.

Sevoflurane is metabolised mainly in the liver and excreted in the urine. It can cause several side effects, including nausea and vomiting, respiratory depression, and coughing.

When do these side effects most commonly occur?

Sevoflurane is a valuable tool for advanced conscious sedation due to its rapid onset, short duration of action, and ease of titration. Its use requires careful monitoring and appropriate dosing to ensure patient safety, particularly in patients with underlying respiratory or cardiovascular disease.