Favourable prognosis of prolonged coma associated with large doses of diazepam in severe tetanus.
A report is made of five tetanus patients who were treated with large repetitive doses of Diazepam and became comatose. The period of impaired consciousness varied from thirteen to twenty-one days. None had significant respiratory depression, and full recovery occurred in all. It is proposed that Diazepam-induced prolonged coma should be regarded as a side-effect rather than a toxic effect and should caution rather than contra-indicate further use of large doses of the drug in the management of tetanus.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D003128:Coma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003975:Diazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011379:Prognosis; D013742:Tetanus / Q000188:drug therapy*
D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D003975:Diazepam; D010100:Oxygen