title: Double-blind comparison of the respiratory effects of parenteral lorazepam and diazepam in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease.
abstract: The effects on the respiratory function of two tranquillising drugs, lorazepam and diazepam, have been compared in 20 patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. Both drugs induce a respiratory depression (decrease in tidal volume and minute ventilation with acceleration of the respiratory frequency) with slight respiratory acidosis, but lorazepam causes no significant hypoxemia and has a shorter duration of action than diazepam. Nevertheless, if tranquillisers are indicated in such patients, they have to be used with care.
mesh_terms: D000142:Acidosis, Respiratory / Q000139:chemically induced; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003975:Diazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects*; D013147:Spirometry; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D008140:Lorazepam; D003975:Diazepam; D010100:Oxygen