title: The effect of diazepam pretreatment on the succinylcholine-induced rise in intraocular pressure.
abstract: The influence of diazepam on some adverse effects of succinylcholine was studied double-blind. Thirty patients (ASA I-II) were allocated to groups receiving either diazepam 0.08 mg/kg or d-tubocurarine 0.05 mg/kg 5 min before a bolus of succinylcholine, 1 mg/kg and 1.5 mg/kg, respectively. Fasciculations were more frequent in the diazepam group (80%) than in the d-tubocurarine group (13%). Relaxation, onset and duration of neuromuscular blockade were comparable in the two groups. The rise in intraocular pressure after succinylcholine and endotracheal intubation was small (0.27 kPa = 2 mmHg) but significant (P less than 0.01) after diazepam pretreatment. In this group the rise in intraocular pressure was 50% lower than the rise seen in the d-tubocurarine group (P less than 0.01). We conclude that pretreatment with diazepam 0.08 mg/kg will reduce but not prevent a rise in the intraocular pressure after succinylcholine in a rapid sequence induction. In the management of patients with penetrating eye injuries the use of succinylcholine still carries some risk even after diazepam pretreatment.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003975:Diazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011229:Preanesthetic Medication; D013390:Succinylcholine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014403:Tubocurarine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D013390:Succinylcholine; D003975:Diazepam; D014403:Tubocurarine