LACK OF ANXIOLYTIC EFFECT OF DIAZEPAM IN PREANESTHETIC MEDICATION

In 30 female patients undergoing elective cholecystectomy, we have com pared the anxiolytic effect of diazepam 10 mg with placebo, using meas urements of cardio vascular (arterial pressure and heart rate), bioche mical (plasma concentrations of noradrenaline, adrenaline, cortisol an d dopamine P-hydroxylase), subjective (visual analogue scale) and beha vioural (Hamilton anxiety test) variables. Pretreatment evaluation was carried out the day before surgery and post-treatment examination was performed 1.5-2h after oral administration of premedication, immediat ely before transfer of patients to the operating room. We found that d iazepam 10 mg had no significant effect on any of the measured variabl es.