Alprazolam and clonidine for oral premedication in adult patients undergoing inhalation general anesthesia

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Perioperative anxiety, defined as fear or concern about anesthesia and/or surgery, is associated with perioperative complications such as stress, panic, depression, hypertension, pain, increased anesthesia requirements, higher costs, and lower patient satisfaction (1, 2, 22, 23, 24). Sixty to seventy percent of patients experience significant perioperative anxiety, and approximately 80% of patients prefer to take medication before surgery (14, 17, 22, 24, 26). Method: This prospective longitudinal study was developed to observe and compare the anxiolytic efficacy of premedication with alprazolam (0.5 mg) or clonidine (150 mcg) in 60 adult patients between 18 and 65 years of age, ASA I and II who were undergoing elective surgical procedures under general inhalation anesthesia, when there was less than or equal to one hour for oral premedication. Results: 57 patients were analyzed for all data. The baseline level of anxiety before the surgical procedure in 65% of patients was moderate and in 25% mild, suggesting that 90% of the population reported some degree of anxiety before surgery. The two medications were found to be similarly effective in reducing patients' pre-surgical anxiety, with a 92% reduction in moderate anxiety at 30 minutes. At 60 minutes, 65% of patients were found to be relaxed.