Premedication of children with trimeprazine tartrate

A double-blind trial was undertaken to compare the effects of trimeprazine tartrate (2 mg kg-1 or 4 mg kg-1) plus atropine 0.03 mg kg-1 for oral premedication of 192 children undergoing tonsillectomy. Demeanour before operation, side-effects after operation, recovery times and fluid balance were studied. Behaviour in the anaesthetic room and restlessness after operation were unaffected by the dose given. There was less vomiting associated with 4 mg kg-1 compared with 2 mg kg-1. Prolonged recovery times occurred frequently in the two groups, 14% in the small- and 17% in the large-dose groups taking more than 10 h to recover full mental faculties. Fluid balance was unaffected by the dose and prolonged recovery did not result in a reduction of urine output. Trimeprazine tartrate is not recommended for routine premedication when early recovery is required.