Adjuvant agents in regional anaesthesia

Adjuvant agents are pharmacological drugs that, when co-administered with local anaesthetic agents, may improve the speed of onset, the quality and/or duration of analgesia. A wide range of drugs has been assessed for both neuraxial and peripheral nerve blocks. Here, we review the adjuvants used in clinical practice in the UK and also briefly mention other drugs that have been used for neuraxial administration and peripheral nerve blockade to provide perioperative analgesia.