Sedation

Sedation can be used to help you relax and feel more comfortable during an endoscopic procedure. Sedation is administered through a small needle in your hand or arm called a cannula, which we will put in on the day. Sedation will only make you feel more relaxed, it does not put you to sleep. It is called conscious sedation which means you will be awake, but hopefully will make you feel more relaxed during your procedure. The sedation that we use is called Midazolam. Depending upon the test you are having we may also give you a drug called Fentanyl. If you are having a colonoscopy, we may also give you Buscopan through your cannula which helps to relax your bowel. You must let us know if you have any allergies, which you can tell us on the day.

It is really important to know that if you elect to have sedation on the day (you can have the procedure without sedation, it is your choice) of your test that you must have someone who can collect you from the unit and ideally stay with you overnight (at least a minimum of 12 hours). Because of the lingering effects of the drugs used it is important that you do not drive, return to work, operate machinery, sign legal documents, work at heights (including climbing ladders or onto a chair), take sleeping tablets or drink alcohol for 24 hours afterwards.