[Eeg-effects of promethazine. study on 17 patients (author's transl)]

Changes in EEG and cEEG were studied in two groups of patients premedicated with promethazine in a dosage of 50 mg iv; study group A consisted of patients whose age ranged from 20-50 years and study group B of patients whose age was above 70 years. The observation time was 15 min but in a few patients only it was extended to 60 min. Changes in behaviour were clinically controlled. Blood pressure and pulse-rate measurements were taken at regular intervals. The first taken base line electroencephalogram patterns of the patients in group A were unremarkable. The recordings of the patients in group B showed a high percentage of deviation from normal. The sedative effect of promethazine showed a widespread individual variation as did also the characteristic changes in EEG frequency bands. Psychomotor side-effects were frequently seen. Characteristic changes in EEG were found to be a continuing 20%-50% decline of alpha amplitude mostly combined with an alternation of stability, or a narrowing of the frequency range in the higher beta band. In addition a light increase of delta and theta activity was observed. Blood pressure and pulse-rate showed a light increase.