Comparison of i. m. diazepam and hydroxyzine as premedicants.

The effectiveness of diazepam as premedication when administered by two different i.m. techniques was compared with hydroxyzine in 84 male and 101 female patients. Variables studied were relief of anxiety, sedation, acceptance by both patient and anaesthetist and pain at the injection site. Diazepam 20 mg in male and diazepam 10 mg in female patients administered by a Z-track injection technique were as effective premedicants as hydroxyzine 100mg i.m. In men diazepam was good as hydroxyzine regardless of the injection technique. In women the technique of injection of the diazepam was critical to achieving good results. The Z-track injection method decreased the amount of severe pain on injection in both sexes to levels similar to those achieved with hydroxyzine.