STUDIES OF DRUGS GIVEN BEFORE ANAESTHESIA .14. 2 BENZODIAZEPINE DERIVATIVES - CHLORDIAZEPOXIDE AND DIAZEPAM

Summary: Two benzodiazepine tranquillizers, chlordiazepoxide (50 and 100 mg) and diazepam (10 and 20 mg) were studied under standard conditions in females, as single-dose premedicants before a standard operation. The findings were compared with those obtained using saline and with previously reported data using opiates and phenothiazine derivatives. The claims that these drugs are capable of allaying pre-operative apprehension were fully substantiated and chlordiazepoxide 100 mg achieved this with very little soporific effect. The action of these drugs was as good as that of most opiates and side effects were much fewer. The eventual place for them may be for use as a pre-preanaesthetic-medication" given by mouth on the day before operation. © 1968 John Sherratt and Son Ltd."