Is There Such a Word as Premedication?

Premedication is using medication before some other therapy (usually surgery or chemotherapy) to prepare for that forthcoming therapy.

What do you mean by premedication?

Premedication is the administration of medication before a treatment or procedure. It is most commonly used prior to anaesthesia for surgery, but may also be used prior to chemotherapy.

What are the objectives of premedication?

The aims of premedication are anxiolysis, analgesia, anti-emesis and to reduce perioperative risk to the patient (e.g. with antihypertensives, antacids and antisialogogues). Many factors have contributed to the decline in premedicant prescription, including changes in anaesthetic agents and short postoperative stays.