The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published a clinical guideline (CG112) on the care and treatment of children and young people under the age of 19 having sedation for therapeutic or diagnostic procedures. There are many sedation techniques available but there is insufficient guidance on which techniques are effective and what resources, including staff training, are required to deliver them safely.

The following drugs have been discussed for sedation:

• Midazolam: Oral, IV, rectal, transmucosal
• Ketamine: IV, IM
• Chloral Hydrate: Oral
• Triclofos sodium: Oral
• Nitrous oxide: Inhalation
• Sevoflurane: Inhalation
• Propofol: IV
• Opioids: IV Fentanyl, IV Morphine and intranasal (IN) Diamorphine