Safety and Stability of Additives and Medication Mixtures for the Anesthesiologist.

Several situations in anesthesia practice exist where medications are mixed; for instance, local anesthetics-additive mixtures to increase block duration, propofol-lidocaine mixture to reduce pain on injection, the sequential injection of different substances into a peridural catheter, or the mix of different intravenous sedatives and analgesics before application. This article recommends a cautious, evidence-based approach to medication mixing in anesthesia practice, with careful consideration of available alternatives. Future research should focus on establishing compatibility standards, improving provider education, and identifying which mixtures offer benefits that outweigh the potential risks.