Double-blind comparison of the respiratory effects of parenteral lorazepam and diazepam in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease

Curr Med Res Opin. 1974;2(10):611-5. doi: 10.1185/03007997409111871.

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

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Acidosis, Respiratory / chemically induced
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bronchitis / blood
  • Bronchitis / drug therapy
  • Carbon Dioxide / blood
  • Chronic Disease
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Diazepam / administration & dosage
  • Diazepam / adverse effects
  • Diazepam / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Parenteral
  • Lorazepam / administration & dosage
  • Lorazepam / adverse effects
  • Lorazepam / therapeutic use*
  • Lung Diseases, Obstructive / blood
  • Lung Diseases, Obstructive / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oxygen / blood
  • Respiration / drug effects*
  • Spirometry
  • Wakefulness / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Anxiety Agents
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Lorazepam
  • Diazepam
  • Oxygen