We are often asked to prescribe sedative drugs, such as Diazepam, for procedures such as MRI scans or dental procedures. Stapenhill Medical Centre does not prescribe such sedatives for this reason. This policy decision has been made by the GP Partners and is adhered to by all prescribers working in the practice. There are several good reasons why prescribing of drugs such as Diazepam is not safe or recommended.
Sedatives are medicines which make patients sleepy and relaxed. GPs are not trained to provide the correct level of sedation for a procedure / scan. Providing too little sedation won’t help you, providing too much sedation can make you too sleepy, which could lead to the procedure being cancelled.
Too much sedation can dangerously affect your breathing. After taking a sedative for a procedure or scan, you will need to be closely monitored to keep you safe.
Although diazepam makes most people who take it sleepy, in some rare situations it can have an opposite effect and make people aggressive or agitated.
Scans and hospital procedures are often delayed, therefore the team performing the procedure or scan should provide the sedation, to ensure you become sleepy and relaxed at the right time.
If you feel you need sedation in such circumstances, please speak to the team undertaking the procedure or scan, as they are responsible for providing this if needed.
Further information can be found by following this links –
Sedation, analgesia and anaesthesia in the radiology department – Royal College of Radiologists