[Sedation and analgesia at the emergency room]

OBJECTIVES: To present research data about the adverse effects of pain and agitation in the emergency room with the best therapeutic options.METHODS: Review of the literature, covering some of the most important studies about analgesia and sedation in the emergency room, and pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the most important drugs.RESULTS: The metabolic responses, scales of evaluation of pain and anxiety and the different clinical situations in the emergency room are presented, inluding also the main drugs to be used.CONCLUSIONS: In the situations of stress in the emergency room we should not underestimate the clinical situations that cause pain and anxiety.