Premedication with Midazolam (Dormicum) compared with Promethazine, Droperidol and placebo in relieving anxiety using Beck's anxiety inventory.

Author(s): Jalbout N, Karam AN, Karam E, Feghaly C, Khalaf H

Affiliation(s): Department of Anaesthesia, Saint George Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon.

Publication date & source: 1994, J Med Liban., 42(2):69-73.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

In a randomized double-blind study, Midazolam (Dormicum) (7.5 mg) was compared with Promethazine (Phenergan) (25 mg), Droperidol (2.5 mg) and placebo as premedication for 98 pre-selected patients undergoing surgery. The anxiolytic effect of the above drugs was monitored by Beck's Anxiety Inventory. 83.3% of patients who received Midazolam had a decrease in their anxiety state compared to 55.6% for Promethazine, 12% for Droperidol and 25% for placebo. The study clearly proved that Midazolam is a better anxiolytic drug compared to Droperidol and Promethazine.