How Do Anesthetic Premedication Agents Work?

Anesthetic premedication agents are drugs that are given before the induction of anesthesia. These agents are neither part of a surgical patient’s usual medical regimen nor part of the anesthetic treatment.

Anesthetic premedication agents inhibit the action of acetylcholine on the parasympathetic sites present in various tissues. They inhibit the salivary glands and respiratory secretions. Decreased salivary and respiratory secretions are necessary during anesthesia, particularly when a tracheal tube is in place.

Anesthetic premedication agents block acetylcholine before the induction of anesthesia to inhibit:

• Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
• Hypotension
• Salivation
• Tracheobronchial secretions (secretions from the respiratory system which act as a defense)

Common side effects of anesthetic premedication agents include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Insomnia
• Dry mouth
• Dry skin
• Blurred vision
• Palpitations
• Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
• Pulmonary edema
• Constipation
• Cycloplegia (paralysis of the muscles that adjust the shape of the eye lens)
• Anhidrosis (a rare condition in which the sweat glands produce little or no sweat)
• Itching
• Nasal dryness
• Xerophthalmia (a progressive eye disease caused by vitamin A deficiency)

The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.

Generic and brand names of anesthetic premedication agents include:

• AtroPen
• Atropine IV/IM
• Cuvposa
• Glycopyrrolate
• Glycopyrronium