Lorazepam premedication: lack of recall and relief of anxiety.
Premedication with lorazepam (4 mg), diazepam (10 mg), and a placebo was compared in a randomized, double-blind study of 95 adult surgical patients. Comparisons were made of recall of a memory card and events of the operative day, relief of anxiety, degree of somnolence, effects on blood pressure and heart rate, and incidence of side effects. Lorazepam produced a significant lack of recall (antegrade amnesia) compared to the other agents. Lorazepam produced a greater antianxiety effect than placebo and a greater degree of somnolence than diazepam or placebo. Since no adverse effects on blood pressure or heart rate occurred, lorazepam appears to show promise as a premedicant.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D011229:Preanesthetic Medication
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D010919:Placebos; D008140:Lorazepam; D003975:Diazepam