Morphine | The reference drug, recommended as bolus regimes because of the long half-life and active metabolites | 3–7 h |
|
|
| | |
|
|
| | |
|
|
| | |
| Abolishes REM sleep stage |
| | | Cheap | |
Remifentanil | Ultra-short-acting drug, can only be administered by infusion | 3–10 min |
|
|
| | |
|
|
| | |
|
|
| | | Synergic effect with α2-agonist | Expensive |
Midazolam | Active metabolites especially with renal failure | 3–11 h |
| |
| | | Synergic effect with α1-agonist | |
Propofol | Risk of propofol infusion syndrome at high doses/prolonged periods | 3–12 h |
|
|
| | | Reduced cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen and anticonvulsant effect | Respiratory depression and loss of upper airway patency |
Dexmedetomidine | Cannot be used for deep sedation | 2 h |
|
|
| | |
|
|
| | |
| Intravenous bolus not indicated |
| | | May help reduce delirium in critically ill | |