The guidelines for sedation of patients in intensive care units (ICU) are presented in the article. Indications for sedative therapy, main tasks and approaches to sedation are highlighted. Principles of sedative medications selection, characteristics of effects and adverse reactions of sedative drugs are presented. Tactics for sedation in critically ill patients including patients with hypoxic enceph-alopathy is described. Recommendations on prophylaxis of agitation in patients in ICU are set out. Basic criteria of medical care quality control are presented.