"
Pre-Anaesthetic Drugs
Pre-anaesthetic drugs are administered before anaesthesia induction to manage the patient's physiological and psychological state. They reduce anxiety, provide analgesia, and prevent common complications such as nausea, vomiting, and bradycardia during anaesthesia.
Types of Pre-Anaesthetic Drugs
1. Sedatives and Anxiolytics
- Benzodiazepines: Drugs like Diazepam, Lorazepam, and Midazolam reduce anxiety, induce sedation, and provide amnesia.
- Barbiturates: Thiopental was used previously but is less commonly used due to side effects.
2. Anticholinergic Agents
- Atropine: Reduces secretions and prevents bradycardia during anaesthesia.
- Glycopyrrolate: Similar to Atropine, but with fewer central nervous system side effects.
3. Analgesics
- Opioids: Morphine, Fentanyl, and others provide pain relief, reducing the need for high doses of general anaesthetics.
4. Antiemetics
- Ondansetron: Prevents nausea and vomiting postoperatively.
- Metoclopramide: Also used to prevent nausea and vomiting.
5. H2 Antagonists
- Ranitidine: Reduces gastric acid secretion to lower the risk of aspiration during surgery.
6. Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
- Omeprazole: PPIs like Omeprazole reduce gastric acid secretion and are commonly used to reduce the risk of acid aspiration.
- Pantoprazole: Another commonly used PPI, helps in reducing gastric acid secretion before anaesthesia.
7. Muscle Relaxants
- Aminosteroid derivatives: Drugs like Rocuronium provide muscle relaxation to facilitate intubation.
Benefits of Pre-Anaesthetic Drugs
- Reduction of anxiety and pain for a more comfortable patient.
- Improved anaesthetic effect by reducing the amount of general anaesthetic required.
- Decreased side effects like bradycardia, excessive salivation, and nausea.
- Facilitation of smoother induction and recovery from anaesthesia.
Considerations
- Pre-anaesthetic drugs should be chosen based on the patient's medical history and type of surgery.
- Side effects and potential interactions with other medications should be carefully monitored.
