A RANDOMISED COMPARITIVE STUDY OF EFFECTS OF ORAL GABAPENTIN AND ORAL CLONIDINE ON PRE - OPERATIVE ANXIOLYSIS AND ATTENUATION OF STRESS RESPONSE TO ENDOTRACHEAL INTUBATION

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS : A prospective,Randomized,comparative study was done to compare the effects of Clonidine (300μg) and Gabapentin (800mg) given orally as premedication in causing anxiolysis and attenuating the stress response to intubation in patients of ASA I/II category undergoing elective surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS : About 60 Adult patients (18-60 yrs) of physical status ASA I & II scheduled to undergo elective surgical procedures were divided into two groups of 30 each allotted randomly and labelled Group A and Group B.The Group A received 300μg clonidine and Group B received 800mg Gabapentin orally 90-120min before induction of Anaesthesia.The Heart rate, Systolic blood pressure,Diastolic blood pressure and Mean arterial pressure were recorded for baseline( before induction ) and at 0,1,3,5,10 min of intubation.The VAS scores were noted before shifting to Operation theatre and before induction of anaesthesia. RESULTS : The Groups were matched for Age,Sex,Weight and for time of induction of anaesthesia and intubation.VAS score before induction was better for clonidine group than for Gabapentin group.The attenuation of stress response to Endotracheal intubation was better with clonidine group than with gabapentin group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION : Oral clonidine (300µg) provided better anxiolysis and attenuation of stress response to endotracheal intubation than oral Gabapentin (800mg) when used for premedication.