Medication for patients having MRI scans and other investigative procedures

Westongrove Partnership does not prescribe diazepam or other sedative medications (e.g. lorazepam, temazepam) for patients undergoing MRI scans, CT scans, dental procedures, or other medical investigations, consistent with NHS guidance and national prescribing standards.

1. Safety & Clinical Responsibility

• Unpredictable dosing and timing:
  Small doses like 2 mg of diazepam may be insufficient for most adults; conversely, patients may paradoxically experience agitation rather than relaxation.
• Timing Issues:
  If a patient takes sedation an hour before the appointment and the scan is delayed, the medication may wear off or peak at the wrong time.
• Monitoring requirements:
  Sedation requires careful monitoring by appropriately trained staff with resuscitation equipment—which is outside the scope of GP practice.
• Guidance from professional bodies:
  The Royal College of Radiologists specifies that sedation must be administered by a competent, credentialed team under appropriate oversight—not by GPs.

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2. Medical & Legal Considerations

Paradoxical reactions:
A minority of patients experience agitation or disinhibition instead of sedation, posing risks to themselves and others

Contraindications in phobic or procedural anxiety:
The British National Formulary (BNF) deems benzodiazepines contraindicated for phobias and inappropriate for short‑term mild anxiety, except in crisis situations of generalised anxiety disorder.

Risk of deeper sedation and complications:
Sedatives impair coordination, reaction times, and may cause natural sleep disruption; prolonged immobility increases risk of blood clots (DVT), especially on long flights or during procedural delays.

Contact the team that referred you:
Discuss your anxiety or claustrophobia directly with the radiology department or consultant. They are responsible for assessing and managing sedation during procedures.

Hospital-based sedative provision:
If sedation is deemed necessary, hospital clinicians—often through their pharmacy or authorised prescribing channels—are the appropriate providers.

Explore alternative anxiolysis options:
Radiology departments may offer measures such as mock scanners, calming environments, or less restrictive imaging alternatives.