A preanesthetic agent (or preanaesthetic agent) is a drug that is given before the administration of an anesthetic.

Non-pharmacologic preanaesthetic interventions include playing relaxing music, massage, and reducing ambient light and noise levels in order to maintain the sleep-wake cycle.

An important aspect of the preanaesthetic evaluation is that of the patient's airway, involving inspection of the mouth opening and visualisation of the soft tissues of the pharynx.

The drug is produced or sold legally in several foreign countries to treat sleep disorders and for use as a preanesthetic medication.

Besides being used for insomnia, it is also occasionally used as a preanesthetic medication.

It is used primarily for the treatment of severe insomnia that has not responded to other treatments and also as a preanesthetic medication.

In these cases it is most often substituted with midazolam or diazepam and left out of the preanesthetic medication altogether.

Flunitrazepam is indicated for the treatment of insomnia as well as used for preanesthetic medication.

It is also sometimes used as a preanesthetic and muscle relaxant in cattle, swine, sheep, and goats.

A preanesthetic agent (or preanaesthetic agent) is a drug that is given before the administration of an anesthetic.

Examples of preanesthetic agents are:

Resistant and severe hiccups, severe nausea/emesis and preanesthetic conditioning are other uses.

Typical applications for pentobarbital are sedative, hypnotic for short term, preanesthetic and control of convulsions in emergencies.

About 20 years ago, Rohypnol was indicated for treatment of insomnia as well as used for preanesthetic medication, replaced mainly with Dormicum (midazolam), which has very similar properties.