title: RO 21-3981 for intravenous surgical premedication and induction of anesthesia.
abstract: RO 21-3981, a new water soluble benzodiazepine, was studied in 24 patients both as an intravenous premedicant and to induce anesthesia. The premedicant dose of 5 mg produced lack of recall and marked sedation within 1 to 2 minutes after injection and persisted for at least 32 minutes. Subsequent induction of anesthesia required an additional 5 to 25 mg of RO 21-3981. However, anesthesia was not induced in 1 patient with 25 mg and was accomplished only with inhalation anesthesia. Loss of lid reflex was unreliable as a sign of induction for patients in whom tracheal intubation was planned. Although decreases in blood pressure of 10 to 30 mm Hg were noted after administration of RO 21-3981, systolic pressure was not recorded below 90 mm Hg. RO 21-3981, because of its amnesic, sedative, and anxiolytic properties, appears to be an excellent premedicant although the 5 mg dose studied was probably larger than necessary. For induction of anesthesia, RO 21-3981 may be an effective alternative to thiopental.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous; D001007:Anxiety / Q000187:drug effects; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011229:Preanesthetic Medication; D012995:Solubility; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D014867:Water; D001569:Benzodiazepines