Medication | Initial dose (adult)* | Onset | Duration | Repeat dose¶ | Effects |
Benzodiazepines |
Midazolam | 0.5 to 2 mg IV over 2 to 3 minutes | 1 to 3 minutes | 10 to 40 minutes | 2 to 5 minutes | - Sedative, amnestic, anxiolytic
- Potentiates effects of other agents
- Delayed recovery in older adults, patients with obesity or impaired hepatic function
|
Opioids |
Fentanyl | 25 to 50 mcg IV over ≥3 minutes | 2 to 3 minutes | 30 to 60 minutes | 2 minutes | - Analgesic, minimal sedation
- Respiratory depression, nausea and vomiting may occur
- Minimal hypotension and histamine release
- Reduce dose when used in combination with benzodiazepine
|
Meperidine | 25 to 50 mg IV over 3 to 5 minutes | 5 minutes | 60 to 180 minutes | 5 to 10 minutes | - Analgesic, sedative
- Respiratory depression, nausea and vomiting may occur
- Hypotension, histamine release
- Reduce dose when used in combination with benzodiazepine
- Interaction with MAO inhibitors
|