Induced coma medication

Question

What drugs do they put you on to keep one in a state of induced coma? Is it common for these drugs to cause nightmares?

I know one of the medications that I was given was morphine, but that doesn't cause nightmares.

Answer 1

If you're referring to an actual coma (used for head injury patients) as opposed to long-term sedation, then barbiturates are used to depress brain activity (and therefore cerebral blood flow and swelling).

Long term sedation is frequently done with a propofol infusion, along with fentanyl and a benzodiazepine. (Although each case is different, and each therapy is tailored to the individual)

(Etomidate and succinylcholine will induce anesthesia, but are not used long term.  Sux will give a phase II block, and can repeat doses can cause bradycardia and asystole.  Bad.)

Answer 2

pottasium cyanide and a big nightmare ,

Answer 3

I am a paramedic and the drugs we give to induce coma are succinycholine and atomidate. They will not necessarly cause nightmare but each person is different. Sometimes people are prone to dreams every deep sleep they get.

Answer 4

The main medication used to keep patients asleep is called propofol. This med is a short-acting IV sedative used for the induction of general anesthesia for both adults and children, maintenance of general anesthesia, and sedation in medical cases, such as ICU sedation for intubated, mechanically ventilated adults, and in procedures such as colonoscopy. The most common side effects with this medication are hypotension and a burning sensation at the site of injection, but is not known to cause nightmares.

Fentanyl is an opiod analgesic similar to morphine, but is 81 times more powerful, and is often given along with propofol, as the propofol does not provide any pain relief.  This medication is associated with hallucinations and nightmares, so this may be the source.