Failure of diazepam to prevent the suxamethonium-induced rise in intra-ocular pressure

The effects of intravenous suxamethonium chloride (1 mg/kg) on intra-ocular pressure (IOP) were studied following pretreatment with diazepam 0.05 mg/kg, tubocurarine 0.05 mg/kg, and in a control group, at induction of anaesthesia. In all three groups, a significant increase in IOP was seen during the induction sequence. In a further study, the effects of intravenous suxamethonium chloride (1 mg/kg) on IOP were studied following a period of stable general anaesthesia and pretreatment with diazepam 0.05 mg/kg. A significant rise in IOP was again seen following the administration of suxamethonium. The authors conclude that neither of the techniques described herein will reliably and predictably prevent the rise in IOP seen following the use of suxamethonium.