EFFECTS OF PREMEDICATION ON DIPRIVAN INDUCTION

Abstract

The effects of three premeditation regimens were compared in 45 healthy patients in whom anaesthesia was induced with diprivan 2mgkg⁻¹ i.v Premedication with diazepam 10 mg orally and droperidol 2.5–5 Omg and piritramide 7.5–15.0 mg i.m. resulted in less pain on injection and a more profound sleep froM.Dipnvan than premedication with diazepam 10 mg orally or no premedication. No differences in speed of induction were found when cessation of counting was used as a sign of unconsciousness. When the loss of eyelash reflex was used to define unconsciousness, the oral and i.m. premedication provided quicker induction after diprivan (39.3±2 9s) than no premedication (53.7±3.0s) (P<0.05) with no greater frequency of side-effects. Dose and rate of injection are the two most important factors influencing speed of induction.