Double-blind comparative trial of parenteral lorazepam and papaveretum in premedication.

SUMMARY Lorazepam, a new sedative drug of the benzodiazepine group, was compared in a double-blind study with a papaveretumjhyoscine mixture in a series of 50 patients awaiting surgery. No difference between the drugs in terms of sedation or side-effects was detected. S. Afr. Med. J., 48, 862 (1974). Lorazepam is a new 1 - 4 benzodiazepine with potent seda­ tive, hypnotic, tranquillising and muscle-relaxant proper­ tes.'-3 The chemistry: pharmacology,' toxicology' and biotransformation' of lorazepam have been described and there have been favourable reports of its use as an oral premedication in surgery.-lO We compared the premedicant properties of parenteral lorazepam with those of a papaveretum/hyoscine mixture (Omnopon and scopolamine).