Comparison of diazepam and midazolam as oral premedicants for bronchoscopy under local anesthesia

A randomized double blind comparison between diazepam 10 mg, and midazolam 15 mg as oral premedicants in diagnostic fiber optic bronchoscopy under local anesthesia was made. The subjective assessments by the patient, the observer and the bronchoscopist showed that midazolam 15 mg orally gives an at least comparable degree of sedation, relief of anxiety and patient's tolerance as diazepam 10 mg orally. Midazolam 15 mg gives some degree of anterograde amnesia where diazepam 10 mg completely fails. Psychomotor recovery after 4 hours is better after midazolam 15 mg than after diazepam 10 mg. No adverse reactions were seen with both premedicants.