How much does sedation cost?
Sedation for medical interventions or diagnostic procedures costs about 75 euros per half hour or part thereof. However, patients do not always have to pay these costs themselves. What is important here is the medical necessity.
Premedication before surgery is paid for by the health insurance company. Sedation during a colonoscopy is also covered by the health insurance. For sedation during a dental procedure, the age of the patient is important.
In the case of minors, sedation is paid for by the insurance company. Adult patients have to pay the costs themselves depending on the procedure. Some health insurance companies offer additional services to their patients and also cover costs not prescribed by law.
Patients should ask their health insurance company about this before an operation. Compared to general anesthesia, sedation is the less expensive alternative and at the same time has fewer side effects. The necessary local anesthesia, which is also performed in sedated patients, is always a service provided by the health insurance company.
These drugs are used
There are many different groups of drugs that can be used for sedation. The first group are the benzodiazepines. These include diazepam, lorazepam, midazolam and many others.
The benzodiazepines are classified according to the duration of action. Benzodiazepines have a rapid onset of action. The next group of sedative drugs are antidepressants, which include doxepin and amitryptiline.
These are usually used to attenuate from an increased stress level to a normal level and not for attenuation during surgery.Another group of drugs are narcotics, such as thiopental, ketamine and propofol. These can provide sedation in small doses and can be used in higher doses for general anesthesia. The group of neuroleptics also has a sedative effect.
Neuroleptics, such as haloperidol, are given for sedation, especially in psychotic states. The strong painkillers from the opioid group, such as morphine or fentanyl, also have a sedative effect. Other groups are barbiturates and antihistamines.
Herbal remedies can also be used for mild sedation. These include valerian, lemon balm, passion flower and real St. John’s wort. For short-term sedation, benzodiazepines are almost always the drug of choice.
Dormicum is a trade name of the active substance midazolam and thus a benzodiazepine. Midazolam belongs to the group of short-acting benzodiazepines and is therefore preferred in premedication before surgery and for short procedures. It promotes sleep and has a sedative effect.
In emergency medicine Midazolam is used to buffer the side effects of the painkiller ketamine. A continuous infusion with Midazolam can be used for long-term sedation in intensive care medicine. Midazolam is not recommended for late pregnancy and nursing mothers.
