title: Meptazinol--a cause of respiratory depression in general anaesthesia.
abstract: The respiratory effects of meptazinol 1 mg kg-1 have been compared with those of pethidine 0.5 mg kg-1 and 1 mg kg-1 in a double-blind trial in 30 patients undergoing arthroscopic meniscectomy under general anaesthesia. Respiratory depression was seen in all treatment groups. Pethidine 1 mg kg-1 produced respiratory depression which was greater than that produced by meptazinol 1 mg kg-1. The least depressant respiratory effects were seen in the group receiving pethidine 0.5 mg kg-1. We submit that the measurement of tidal volume enhances the assessment of the respiratory effects of analgesic drugs during anaesthesia.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D001381:Azepines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000502:physiology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008614:Meperidine / Q000009:adverse effects; D008621:Meptazinol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects*; D013990:Tidal Volume
chemical_list: D001381:Azepines; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D008621:Meptazinol; D008614:Meperidine