Abstract
The effects on the respiratory function of two tranquillising drugs, lorazepam and diazepam, have been compared in 20 patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. Both drugs induce a respiratory depression (decrease in tidal volume and minute ventilation with acceleration of the respiratory frequency) with slight respiratory acidosis, but lorazepam causes no significant hypoxemia and has a shorter duration of action than diazepam. Nevertheless, if tranquillisers are indicated in such patients, they have to be used with care.
Publication types
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Clinical Trial
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Comparative Study
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Controlled Clinical Trial
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Randomized Controlled Trial
MeSH terms
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Acidosis, Respiratory / chemically induced
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Adult
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Aged
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Anti-Anxiety Agents / therapeutic use*
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Bronchitis / blood
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Bronchitis / drug therapy
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Carbon Dioxide / blood
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Chronic Disease
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Clinical Trials as Topic
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Diazepam / administration & dosage
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Diazepam / adverse effects
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Diazepam / therapeutic use
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Humans
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Infusions, Parenteral
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Lorazepam / administration & dosage
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Lorazepam / adverse effects
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Lorazepam / therapeutic use*
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Lung Diseases, Obstructive / blood
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Lung Diseases, Obstructive / drug therapy*
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Oxygen / blood
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Respiration / drug effects*
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Spirometry
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Wakefulness / drug effects
Substances
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Anti-Anxiety Agents
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Carbon Dioxide
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Lorazepam
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Diazepam
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Oxygen