Sedation emergency medications — atropine, diphenhydramine and glucagon — side by side, as their own monographs state them.
| Agent | Route | Onset | Peak | Duration | Dose (as stated) | Reversal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atropine (Atropine Sulfate) | IV | 45–60 seconds | 2 minutes | 1–2 hours | Adult 0.4–1 mg IV, additional doses titrated within that range; pediatric (over 5 kg) 0.01–0.2 mg/kg, minimum 0.1 mg | None |
| Diphenhydramine (Benadryl Injection) | — | 2–3 minutes | 60–90 minutes | More than 240 minutes | 25–50 mg, up to 100 mg if required | None |
| Glucagon (GlucaGen) | — | 1 minute | — | 9–17 minutes at 0.25–0.5 mg; 22–25 minutes at 2 mg | 0.25–0.5 mg, or 2 mg (the 2 mg dose brings more nausea and vomiting) | None |
Every figure above is taken from the linked monograph on this site; a dash means the monograph does not state it. Verify all doses against the current package insert and your facility protocols before clinical use.
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl Injection)
Diphenhydramine is the response to an allergic reaction developing during moderate sedation — hives, itching, or more — not a medication given as part of routine sedation.
Atropine (Atropine Sulfate)
Atropine is the response to symptomatic bradycardia — a heart rate low enough to bring blood pressure down with it — and is not given prophylactically.
Glucagon (GlucaGen)
Glucagon is the response to hypoglycemia that does not resolve with oral glucose, or that develops in a patient who cannot safely take anything by mouth.
Educational reference for sedation providers, relocated from the previous version of this site — not a substitute for the current package insert, your facility protocols, or clinical judgment. Verify all doses against current references before clinical use.