MyHealth.Alberta.ca Network

Sedation: Care Instructions

Overview

Sedation is the use of medicine to help you feel relaxed and comfortable during a procedure. You may get a mix of sedatives (medicine to help you relax or fall asleep) and analgesics (medicine to help with pain). Being very relaxed or asleep from the medicines is called being sedated or having sedation. You will feel sleepy and have less pain for up to 24 hours.

You will be watched closely by a doctor or nurse during sedation.

Common side effects from sedation include:

Feeling sleepy or tired. (Your doctors and nurses will make sure you aren't too sleepy to go home.)
Nausea (feeling sick to your stomach) and vomiting (throwing up). This usually does not last long.
Feeling dizzy or unsteady.

Because of these common side effects, you’ll stay at the hospital until it’s safe for you to go home. Because you got sedation, someone must drive you home and stay with you for the next 8 hours.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

How can you care for yourself at home?

Activity

Don't do anything that requires attention to detail until you recover. This includes going to work or school, making important decisions, and signing any legal documents. It takes time for the medicine effects to completely wear off.
For at least 24 hours, do not drive or operate any machinery.
When you get home, make sure to rest until the anesthesia has worn off. Some people will feel drowsy or dizzy for up to a few hours after leaving the hospital.
Take your time and walk slowly. Sudden changes in position may cause nausea.
Rest when you feel tired. Getting enough sleep will help you recover.
If you use a CPAP or BiPAP machine because you have sleep apnea, make sure to use your machine for the 24 hours after you got sedation anytime there’s a chance you could fall asleep (for example, while reading or watching TV).

Diet

Don't drink alcohol for 24 hours.
You can eat your normal diet, unless your doctor gives you other instructions. If your stomach is upset, try clear liquids and bland, low-fat foods like plain toast or rice.
Drink plenty of fluids (unless your doctor tells you not to).

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

You have chest pain or trouble breathing.
You passed out (lost consciousness).

Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:

You’ve been throwing up for more than 24 hours.
You have a fever.
You have a new or worse headache.
The medicine is not wearing off and you can't think clearly.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse advice line if:

You do not get better as expected.

Where can you learn more?

Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

Enter G817 in the search box to learn more about "Sedation: Care Instructions".

Adapted with permission from copyrighted materials from Healthwise, Incorporated (Healthwise). This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty and is not responsible or liable for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.