Butorphanol and promethazine as pre-anaesthetic medication

An open evaluation of a combination of butorphanol (1 or 2 mg), promethazine (25 or 50 mg) and atropine (0.5 mg) in 109 adult consenting patients was carried out to determine their safety and efficacy for preanaesthetic medication. All patients were kept under direct surveillance from before intramuscular medication until they were in satisfactory condition post-operatively for discharge from the recovery room. The medications employed did not disturb the blood pressure, pulse rate or respiration rate in any of the patients. None complained of nausea or dizziness while only one was slightly excited. Sedation was rated as satisfactory in 97 per cent, and 90 per cent were free of apprehension. In addition, global evaluation of the premedication by the investigator was rated good to excellent in 99 per cent of the patients. On the basis of these observations, the combination of butorphanol with promethazine and atropine appears safe and useful for pre-anaesthetic medication.