IV Sedation

What is IV sedation?

IV sedation is a technique used to help patients remain deeply relaxed during oral surgery. Medications are administered through an intravenous line and monitored continuously throughout the procedure.

Who is a candidate?

• Patients with dental anxiety
• Complex or longer procedures
• Patients seeking a more comfortable experience

Safety & monitoring

Patient safety is our highest priority. Vital signs are monitored continuously, and sedation plans are tailored to each patient’s medical history.

Before sedation

• No food or drink for at least 8 hours prior
• A responsible adult escort is required
• Review medications with your surgeon

Why these steps matter: Fasting and having a responsible adult escort reduce the risk of nausea/aspiration and help keep you safe while the sedation is still affecting your reflexes and judgment.

Medications and Your Medical History

Your medical history and every medication you take help us plan the safest sedation. Before your procedure, give Horizon OMS a complete, current list of:

• Prescription medications, including pills, injections, patches, and inhalers
• Diabetes and weight-management medications
• Blood thinners and medications for heart, blood pressure, or seizure conditions
• Over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal products, and supplements

Include the medication name, dose, how often you take it, and when you last took it. Tell us about allergies, medical conditions, prior anesthesia problems, and any recent changes in your health or prescriptions. Do not assume that a weekly injection, compounded medication, or medication used only for weight loss is unrelated to sedation.

GLP-1 Medications and IV Sedation

GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual GLP-1/GIP medications are used for diabetes, weight management, and other health conditions. Examples include Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Rybelsus®, Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Trulicity®, Victoza®, Saxenda®, Byetta®, Bydureon BCise®, and Adlyxin®. Generic names include semaglutide, tirzepatide, dulaglutide, liraglutide, exenatide, and lixisenatide.

These medications can slow stomach emptying. Food or liquid that remains in the stomach during deep IV sedation can come back up and enter the airway or lungs, a potentially serious complication called aspiration. Tell us if you take one of these medications, even if it is prescribed outside your regular medical office, obtained from a compounding pharmacy, taken only once a week, or used only for weight loss.

Current guidance: most patients can continue

Current ASA-supported multi-society guidance says most patients at low risk for delayed stomach emptying can continue their GLP-1 medication before an elective procedure. The decision should be individualized by the patient, procedural team, anesthesia team, and prescribing clinician, balancing aspiration risk against the risks of withholding treatment. You can also review the published multi-society clinical practice guidance and the ASA’s patient guide to diabetes and weight-loss drugs before surgery.

When additional precautions may be needed

Your plan may need to be adjusted if you have a higher likelihood of delayed stomach emptying, including:

• You recently started the medication or are in a dose-escalation phase
• Your dose was recently increased or you take a higher dose
• You have nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, severe heartburn, or an unusual feeling of fullness
• You have gastroparesis or another medical condition that can slow stomach emptying, such as Parkinson’s disease

Depending on your individual risk, Horizon OMS may recommend a liquid-only diet for 24 hours before the procedure, alter the sedation plan, or postpone an elective procedure until symptoms improve or the dose-escalation phase has passed. We will tell you which liquids are permitted and when all eating and drinking must stop.

What you need to do

• Follow the standard fasting instructions provided by Horizon OMS, even if you continue your GLP-1 medication or complete a 24-hour liquid-only diet.
• Contact us before the procedure if you recently started a GLP-1 medication, changed the dose, or developed stomach or digestive symptoms.
• Contact us if you ate or drank outside the instructions, missed part of the liquid-only diet, or are unsure whether you followed the preparation plan.
• Do not stop a diabetes or weight-management medication unless Horizon OMS or the prescribing clinician specifically tells you to do so.

Call Horizon OMS at (630) 425-2555 before coming to the office if any of these situations apply. Telling us early gives us the best opportunity to adjust the plan safely.

After sedation

• No driving or important decisions for 24 hours
• Expect temporary drowsiness
• Follow all postoperative instructions provided

Why the restrictions? Sedation can linger even after you feel “awake.” Avoiding driving, alcohol, and important decisions for 24 hours helps prevent accidents and supports a smooth recovery.

Anesthesia training & credentials

Oral & maxillofacial surgeons are trained in anesthesia during specialty residency and are experienced in providing office-based sedation with continuous monitoring. Your sedation plan is tailored to your medical history and the procedure.

If you’d like more context on board certification, fellowship, and OMS anesthesia standards, visit our Credentials page.