Medicated sleep is characterized by the absence or decrease in the level of consciousness, suppression of reflexes and pain sensitivity. It is achieved artificially by administering sedative medications. There are short-term and long-term sedation.

Various groups of drugs are used for sedation, which are administered intravenously or intramuscularly, such as barbiturates, benzodiazepines, ketamine, propofol, etc. The required depth and duration of medication sleep depends on the goals of the main medical procedure.

Sedation is performed with preservation of spontaneous breathing and does not require artificial lung ventilation.