| Drug | Class | Sedative dose | Notes |
| Midazolam | Benzodiazepine | 1 to 2 mg IV, repeated as necessary to total dose 0.025 to 0.1 mg/kg | Frequently used in combination with fentanyl |
| Fentanyl | Opioid | 25 to 200 mcg IV (0.2 to 2 mcg/kg), in divided doses at 5 minute intervals, titrated to effect | Usually used in combination with other agents (eg, midazolam, propofol) |
| Alfentanil | Opioid | 500 to 1500 mcg IV (10 to 30 mcg/kg) | Faster onset, shorter duration than fentanyl |
| Remifentanil | Opioid | Bolus 0.5 mcg/kg IV followed by an infusion of 0.1 mcg/kg/minute | Infusion can subsequently be titrated by 0.025 mcg/kg/minute to 0.05 mcg/kg/minute in 5 minute intervals to achieve adequate sedation |
| Propofol | Hypnotic | 0.25 mg/kg IV, in intermittent boluses or Continuous IV infusion of 25 to 75 mcg/kg/minute, titrated to effect | Can also be used in combination with remifentanil (decrease dose of both drugs) |
| Ketamine | Hypnotic | 0.2 to 0.8 mg/kg IV | Pretreat with antisialagogue Consider administration of midazolam to attenuate undesirable psychological effects |
| Dexmedetomidine | Alpha2 agonist | Bolus 1 mcg/kg IV over 10 minutes, followed by an infusion of 0.2 to 1 mcg/kg/hr | Reduce dose in older adults and in patients with depressed cardiac function |
