Adjuvant Agents

One or more adjuvant agents are administered during induction. They help augment the effects of the primary induction agent (e.g., propofol), reduce pain, and blunt autonomic response during laryngoscopy and intubation.

The usual combination of adjuvant agents is midazolam + an opioid (fentanyl or remifentanil), administered immediately prior to the primary induction agent. Dexamethasone is added after the primary induction agent, prior to surgical incision.