| To facilitate mechanical ventilation in patients with severe hypoxemia (increase chest wall compliance, prevent poorly coordinated respiratory movements, reduce peak airway pressures, and facilitate permissive hypercapnia) |
| Shivering due to therapeutic hypothermia following cardiac arrest |
| Emergent intubation |
| To facilitate treatment of medical conditions associated with increased muscle activity, including tetanus, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, or status asthmaticus |
| To facilitate short procedures under general anesthesia (endotracheal intubation, bronchoscopy, gastrointestinal endoscopy, specialized radiologic procedures) |
| To prevent unwanted motor movement such as respiratory distress, and coughing on tracheal suction in patients with increased intracranial pressure or massive hemoptysis |
