Which sedation agents cannot be used alone and require a balanced anesthetic plan?

Tranquilizers and sedatives are agents that, when used alone, do not provide sufficient sedation or analgesia for many procedures, especially in veterinary medicine. These drugs often lead to a state of relaxation without adequate pain control, making them less effective as a sole agent for sedation or anesthesia. In practice, they are typically used in conjunction with other classes of drugs, such as opioids or alpha2-agonists, to create a balanced anesthetic plan that effectively manages both sedation and analgesia.

In a balanced anesthetic approach, the combination of drugs allows for lower doses of each agent while enhancing the overall effect. This strategy reduces the risk of adverse effects associated with higher doses of individual drugs and provides a more stable anesthetic plane. In contrast, opioids, neuroleptanalgesics, and alpha2-agonists can sometimes be used effectively on their own in certain situations, but they are still often part of a balanced plan depending on the specific needs of the procedure and patient.