What Kind of Shot Puts You to Sleep? An Overview of Sedative Injections

October 9, 2025 •

4 min read

Nearly 40 million anesthetics are administered in the United States each year [1.9.1]. The question, 'What kind of shot puts you to sleep?' refers to a class of drugs known as intravenous anesthetics and sedatives, which are critical for medical procedures.

Quick Summary

Various injectable medications can induce sleep for medical procedures. These central nervous system depressants include drugs like Propofol, benzodiazepines such as Midazolam, and barbiturates, each with specific uses, onsets, and durations of action.

Key Points

Multiple Drug Types: The 'shot' is not one specific drug but can be an intravenous anesthetic like Propofol, a benzodiazepine like Midazolam, or a barbiturate [1.2.3, 1.3.5].
Primary Mechanism: Most of these drugs work by enhancing the effect of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, which slows down brain activity to cause sedation [1.8.1, 1.5.3].
Propofol is Common: Propofol is a widely used anesthetic due to its rapid onset, short duration, and anti-nausea effects, making it ideal for inducing and maintaining anesthesia [1.3.5, 1.4.3].
Midazolam for Anxiety: Midazolam is frequently used before procedures to reduce anxiety, create drowsiness, and prevent memory of the event [1.2.2, 1.3.1].
Administration by Professionals Only: Due to significant risks like respiratory depression, these drugs are only administered by trained professionals like anesthesiologists in a monitored setting [1.2.1, 1.4.3].
Context is Key: The choice of medication depends on the patient's health, the type of procedure, and the level of sedation required [1.3.5].
Hemodynamic Stability: Agents like Etomidate are chosen for patients with heart conditions because they have minimal impact on blood pressure and heart rate [1.8.2, 1.8.1].

Understanding Sedative and Anesthetic Injections

When patients need to be put to sleep for surgery or a medical procedure, healthcare professionals use a variety of injectable drugs known as intravenous (IV) anesthetics or sedatives [1.3.5]. These medications work by depressing the central nervous system, which can result in effects ranging from mild relaxation to a complete loss of consciousness (general anesthesia) [1.3.5, 1.6.3]. The specific drug chosen depends on the type and duration of the procedure, the patient's health status, and the desired level of sedation [1.3.5]. These medications are only administered by trained healthcare providers, such as anesthesiologists, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), or oral and maxillofacial surgeons, in a monitored setting [1.4.3, 1.10.1, 1.7.2].

How Do These Injections Induce Sleep?

Most injectable anesthetics achieve their effect by enhancing the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system [1.8.1, 1.6.3]. By binding to GABA-A receptors, these drugs increase the flow of chloride ions into neurons. This action makes the neurons less likely to fire, leading to a calming effect on the brain, sedation, and eventually, unconsciousness [1.6.3, 1.5.3]. Some drugs, like ketamine, work differently by blocking another type of receptor called the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor [1.7.4]. This creates a state of 'dissociative anesthesia,' where the patient is unconscious but may appear to be awake [1.5.2].

Common Types of Injectable Sedatives

Several classes of drugs are commonly used for intravenous sedation and anesthesia. Each has distinct properties that make it suitable for different clinical scenarios.

Propofol (Diprivan)

Propofol is the most widely used intravenous anesthetic [1.3.5]. It is a short-acting agent known for its rapid onset (less than one minute) and quick recovery time [1.5.2, 1.4.3]. Its antiemetic properties also help reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting [1.4.3, 1.11.2]. Propofol is commonly used for inducing and maintaining general anesthesia and for sedation during procedures like endoscopies [1.4.2, 1.3.5]. However, it can cause significant respiratory depression and hypotension (low blood pressure), and the injection itself can be painful [1.4.3, 1.4.2].

Benzodiazepines (e.g., Midazolam)

Midazolam (often sold under the brand name Versed) is a benzodiazepine frequently used to relieve anxiety, cause drowsiness, and produce amnesia before medical procedures [1.2.2, 1.3.1]. It is often administered for procedural sedation, such as during colonoscopies or dental work, either alone or with other drugs [1.2.1, 1.3.5]. Midazolam has a slower onset (1-5 minutes) and longer duration of action compared to propofol [1.5.2, 1.5.3]. A major risk is respiratory depression, especially when combined with opioid pain medications [1.2.1].

Barbiturates (e.g., Methohexital, Thiopental)

Barbiturates are a class of drugs that cause central nervous system depression, leading to sedation or loss of consciousness [1.6.3]. Thiopental and methohexital are ultra-short-acting barbiturates historically used for induction of anesthesia [1.6.5, 1.6.3]. They act very quickly but have been largely replaced by drugs like propofol, which offer a more favorable side effect profile [1.6.3, 1.11.2]. Barbiturates carry a high risk of respiratory and cardiovascular depression [1.11.3].

Other Agents: Ketamine and Etomidate

Ketamine: An anesthetic that produces a 'dissociative' state, providing pain relief (analgesia), sedation, and amnesia [1.7.2, 1.5.2]. It is particularly useful in emergency settings or for patients with low blood pressure because it stimulates the cardiovascular system, unlike other anesthetics [1.7.2, 1.8.1].
Etomidate: An ultra-short-acting agent used for inducing anesthesia, especially in patients with cardiovascular instability, as it has minimal effects on heart rate and blood pressure [1.8.1, 1.8.2]. Its main drawbacks are a lack of pain relief, a high incidence of myoclonus (involuntary muscle twitching), and temporary adrenal suppression [1.8.2, 1.8.3].

Comparison of Common IV Anesthetics


Feature	Propofol	Midazolam	Etomidate
Drug Class	General Anesthetic	Benzodiazepine	General Anesthetic
Primary Use	Induction/maintenance of anesthesia, procedural sedation [1.4.2]	Pre-operative sedation, anxiolysis, procedural sedation [1.2.1]	Induction of anesthesia, especially in unstable patients [1.8.1]
Onset of Action	< 1 minute [1.5.2]	1-5 minutes [1.5.2, 1.5.3]	< 1 minute [1.5.2]
Duration	3-10 minutes [1.5.2]	30-60 minutes [1.5.2]	3-5 minutes [1.5.2]
Key Side Effects	Hypotension, respiratory depression, pain on injection [1.4.3]	Respiratory depression (especially with opioids) [1.2.1]	Myoclonus, adrenal suppression, no analgesia [1.8.2]

Risks and Safety

All sedative and anesthetic injections carry risks, the most serious being respiratory depression (slowed or stopped breathing) and cardiovascular effects like hypotension [1.2.2, 1.4.3]. This is why these medications are only given in settings with continuous monitoring of heart and lung function by trained professionals who can intervene in an emergency [1.2.1, 1.4.3]. Patients must disclose their full medical history, including allergies and any medications they are taking, to prevent dangerous interactions [1.2.2]. For at least 24 hours after receiving sedation, patients should not drive or operate heavy machinery due to lingering effects on coordination and judgment [1.2.2].

Conclusion

The 'shot that puts you to sleep' is not a single drug but rather one of several powerful intravenous anesthetics or sedatives. Agents like propofol, midazolam, and etomidate are indispensable tools in modern medicine, allowing for painless and anxiety-free surgical and diagnostic procedures. The choice of drug is carefully tailored by an anesthesia professional to ensure patient safety and comfort, balancing the need for sedation with the specific risks and benefits of each medication in a highly controlled medical environment.

For more information from an authoritative source, you may visit the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation. [1.3.5]

Frequently Asked Questions

Midazolam (brand name Versed) is a benzodiazepine commonly given intravenously (IV) before surgery to relieve anxiety, cause drowsiness, and prevent memory of the procedure [1.3.2, 1.2.2].

Propofol is the most widely used intravenous drug for both inducing (starting) and maintaining general anesthesia because it acts very quickly and wears off rapidly [1.3.5, 1.4.3].

Intravenous anesthetics work very quickly. Propofol and etomidate can take effect in under a minute, while midazolam typically has an onset of one to five minutes [1.5.2].

It depends on the dose and drug. Sedation can range from minimal (drowsy but awake) to moderate ('twilight sleep') to deep sedation or general anesthesia, where you are completely unconscious [1.3.5, 1.4.3].

The most significant risks include serious or life-threatening breathing problems (respiratory depression) and cardiovascular effects like low blood pressure (hypotension) and changes in heart rate [1.2.2, 1.4.3]. This is why continuous monitoring is required.

Many sedative injections, particularly benzodiazepines like midazolam, cause amnesia, meaning you will likely have little to no memory of the procedure after receiving the medication [1.2.2, 1.3.2].

Only trained and licensed medical professionals, such as anesthesiologists, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), and specially trained surgeons like oral and maxillofacial surgeons, can administer IV sedation and general anesthesia [1.7.2, 1.10.1, 1.4.3].