A combination of oral diazepam and droperidol for premedication. A double blind comparison with diazepam alone

Oral diazepam is commonly used as a premedicant. For a given dose there is considerable between patient variation in clinical effect and plasma levels. The addition of droperidol may improve consistency and contribute antiemesis whilst avoiding the undesirable effects of droperidol alone. Ninety patients undergoing minor gynecological or minor urological surgery were given as an oral premedicant either diazepam (0.185 mg/kg) or one of two combinations of diazepam and droperidol (diazepam, 0.185 mg/kg plus droperidol, 0.09 mg/kg; or diazepam, 0.135 mg/kg plus droperidol, 0.09 mg/kg). There was no significant difference between the groups in altering mean anxiety measurements or improving consistency of action as judged by the number of patients having reduced anxiety measurements. Side effects, including nausea and vomiting, were not significantly different between the three groups. In the doses used there was no practical advantage in adding droperidol to diazepam for oral premedication.