Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 3/22/2007

Question
QUESTION: I understand that some anesthetics, or maybe all of them, are amnestic. Are these medications ever chosen and given because of that effect? Or is the amnesia merely a side effect? Are amnestics ever given in addition to whatever anesthetic is used just to cause amnesia in the patient?
If so, why would this be desirable?
ANSWER: Not all drugs are amnestic but this is a desired effect of the ones that are. The ideal anesthetic is one in which the patient stays asleep, feels no pain and doesn't even remember going into the OR.

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dr. Levy, thanks for your very prompt reply. My follow-up is: Why is it desired that a patient not recall his visit to the OR? Or to the gastroenterologist, for that matter?
I can undertand the patient having to remain unconscious and pain-free, of course, but to me, the preliminaries prior to being anesthesized would be, I think, very interesting and educational. Also, are amnestics ever given
just to achieve that effect, when an anesthetic is chosen which does not happen to cause amnesia? If so why?  

Answer
For most people, the OR is a scary place and they don't want remember anything about it. Ye, amnestics are routinely give (Versed usually) as a premedication before going to the OR.

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston