Clinical implications of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of procedural sedation agents in children.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Procedural sedation has become the standard of care for managing pain and anxiety in children in the emergency department.

RECENT FINDINGS

Numerous articles have been published on pediatric procedural sedation with, however, little in-depth discussion of the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of the sedation agents utilized.

SUMMARY

We review the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the pediatric procedural sedation pharmacopeia from a clinical perspective with emphasis on the practical implications for drug titration and dosing.