premedication

1. Administration of drugs prior to anesthesia to allay apprehension, produce sedation, and facilitate the administration of anesthesia. 2. Drugs used for such purposes.

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pre·med·i·ca·tion -.med-ə-'kā-shən n preliminary medication esp medication to induce a relaxed state preparatory to the administration of an anesthetic

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n.

drugs administered to a patient before an operation (usually one in which an anaesthetic is used). Premedication usually comprises injection of a sedative (such as a benzodiazepines, to calm the patient down, together with a drug, such as hyoscine, to dry up the secretions of the lungs (which might otherwise be inhaled during anaesthesia).

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pre·med·i·ca·tion (pre″med-ĭ-kaґshən) 1. preliminary administration of a drug preceding a diagnostic, therapeutic, or surgical procedure, as an antibiotic or antianxiety agent. 2. a drug administered for such a purpose.