[Comparison of zopiclone and midazolam premedication for preoperative anxiolysis]

To compare the anxiolysis property of zopiclone (ZPC) and midazolam (MDZ), 117 patients were given zopiclone 7.5 mg p.o. or midazolam 0.05 mg.kg-1 i.m. as premedication. In the study 1, patients were randomly allocated to 4 groups: ZZ group (n = 16) received ZPC in the night before operation and 2 h before operation, ZM group (n = 18) received ZPC in the night before operation and MDZ 1 h before operation, Z group (n = 18) received ZPC 2 h before operation, and M group (n = 24) received MDZ 1 h before operation. The degree of anxiety was evaluated using the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) on the day before operation and after receiving premedication. ZPC showed a significant reduction in the STAI score in the ZZ and Z group, but premedication with MDZ showed no changes in the STAI score. In the study 2, patients were randomly allocated to 2 groups: ZPC group (n = 22) received ZPC 2 h before operation, and M group (n = 19) received MDZ 1 h before operation. The degree of anxiety was evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) on the day before operation and after receiving premedication. ZPC showed a significant reduction in the VAS score, but MDZ showed no changes in the VAS. It is concluded that ZPC (7.5 mg p.o.) is suitable to reduce the preoperative anxiety in patients who are to undergo surgery as compared to MDZ (0.05 mg.kg-1 i.m.).