premedication

premedication /pre·med·i·ca·tion/ (pre″med-ĭ-ka´shun)

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.

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pre·med·i·ca·tion (prmd--kshn)

n.

1. Administration of drugs prior to anesthesia to allay apprehension, produce sedation, and facilitate the administration of anesthesia to the patient.

2. A drug or drugs used for such purposes.

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premedication

[-med′ikā′shən]

Etymology: L, prae + medicare, to heal

1 any sedative, tranquilizer, hypnotic, or anticholinergic medication administered before anesthesia to relieve anxiety and decrease pain. The choice of drug depends on such variables as the patient's age and physical condition and the specific operative procedure.

2 the administration of such medications. premedicate, v.

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premedication,

n 1. a sedative, tranquilizer, hypnotic, or anticholinergic medication administered before anesthesia.
n 2. the administration of medication before a stressful or invasive procedure.

premedication, antibiotic,

n the administration of an antibiotic prior to an invasive procedure that prevents a dangerous infection, such as bacterial endocarditis, from occurring as a result of transient bacteria produced in the course of the procedure. See also endocarditis, bacterial.

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premedication

preliminary medication, particularly internal medication to produce sedation or narcosis prior to general anesthesia, e.g. acepromazine, diazepam, promethazine.