Sedation advice
This leaflet contains discharge advice following your child’s attendance to the Accident & Emergency Department (A&E).
During your time in A&E as part of their treatment your child was given sedative medication.
Sedation aftercare – What you could expect:
Drowsiness
Sedation medication can have a ‘hang over’ effect which leaves children drowsy for a short time afterwards; it also minimizes their memory of the event.
The medicine can make your child irritable; this should not last long and should disappear after a good night’s sleep. Supervise your child until the day after as the medicine can increase the risk of accident.
Thirst/appetite
The medicine can make a child thirsty. Extra fluids may be required. Your child appetite may increase or decrease for up to 24 hours. There is no need to worry about this.
If your child does not want to eat encourage plenty of oral fluids. This will all get back to normal soon.
Sleep
The normal sleep pattern can be disturbed by sedation medication. Your child may sleep through the night or may wake up in the middle of the night.
If you encourage their normal daily routine the day after, your child’s usual sleeping pattern should return to normal in the next day or two.
Medication
If your child takes regular medicines or requires further medicines please discuss this before you leave the Accident and Emergency department.
If you have any concerns please contact your local Accident & Emergency Department for further advice.
Emergency Department Telephone: 0161 627 8926
The Royal Oldham Hospital, Rochdale Road, Oldham, OL1 2JH
Date of Review: November 2023
Date of Next Review: November 2025
Ref No: PI_M_568 (Oldham)