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

For sedation, medications of various groups are used, which are administered intravenously or intramuscularly, such as barbiturates, benzodiazepines, ketamine, propofol, and others. 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.