Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Premedication
Introduction
Overview
Premedication refers to a drug treatment given to a patient before a (surgical or invasive) medical procedure. These drugs are typically sedative or analgesic.
Premedication before chemotherapy for cancer often refers to special drug regimens (usually 3 drugs, eg dexamethasone, diphenhydramine and omeprazole) given to a patient hours or minutes before the chemotherapy to avert hypersensitivity reactions (allergic reactions).
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